This year has started on a positive note, with Pacific academics, artists, and advocates named on the 2024 New Year Honours list.
Heading the list is Sarai Bareman (pictured), who has been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) for services to football.
As FIFA's chief women's football officer since 2016, Dame Sarai has had a huge part in organising the 2023 Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Dame Sarai says she hopes this recognition would inspire a future generation of Pacific women to get involved in the beautiful game.
Her award come after recent targeted talanoa sessions for Pacific communities, to grow football, in Auckland and Lower Hutt, facilitated by NZ Football and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
A trio of Pacific recipients were named as Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM), including media stalwart Barbara Dreaver, for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities.
Barbara has been championing Pacific peoples and sharing their stories for more than three decades.
"It's not just the telling of our stories, it's also getting a result and we do this job to make a difference," Barbara says.
Pasifika Press creator Robert Holding has been made an ONZM for services to Pacific literature and business.
In the early 1970s, Robert was running the only bookshop in Samoa and was aware about Pacific books dying out, so he started publishing them himself.
He started the business first called Polynesian Bookshop in Ponsonby in 1976 with his late wife Sheena, the operation moved to Karangahape Road in 1986 and stayed for about 12 years, there is no longer a bookshop but Holding is still publishing and creating beautiful Pacific books.
The third ONZM was handed to Dr Cherie Maria Chu-Fuluifaga, recognised for services to education.
Meanwhile, Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) include The Fono Trust Chief Executive Officer Tevita Filisonu'u Funaki, for services to Pacific health, and Creative NZ Pacific Arts Senior Manager Makerita Urale, for services to Pacific Arts.
Christine Mary (Kira) Hundleby also received an MNZM for services to Pacific arts, Philippa Agnes Laufiso has been recognised for services to arts and the community, Tupe Lualua for services to the arts, Silao Vaisola (Lemalu Silao) Sefo for services to Pacific health, Dr Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni for services to education, and Professor Yvonne Jasmine Te Ruki Rangi o Tangaroa Underhill, for services to tertiary education and Pacific development.
The Queen's Service Medal (QSM) was presented to Rai Vaeruarangi, for services to the Cook Islands community.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples would like to congratulate the Pacific contingent who have been recognised in this year’s awards.
Pacific recipients of the 2024 New Year Honours
DNZM: To be Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Sarai-Paea (Sarai) Bareman - For services to football governance
ONZM: To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Robert George Holding - For services to Pacific literature and business
MNZM: To be Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit
QSM: The Queen's Service Medal
Visit the DPMC website for the full 2024 New Year Honours list.