From Niuean language to frontline policing: Community leaders receive King’s honours

For decades, Vai Kumitau has helped keep Niuean language and culture alive in Dunedin while Inspector Neru Leifi has built bridges between police and Pacific communities in Christchurch and across the region.

They are among 12 Pasifika recipients in this year's King's Birthday Honours, which recognised 178 people across Aotearoa New Zealand.

This month, both have formally received their King’s Birthday honours at Government House in Wellington.

Kumitau was awarded the King’s Service Medal for services to the Niuean community at an investiture ceremony on 14 September.

Leifi received his Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to New Zealand Police and the community three days later.

For Kumitau, the honour recognises a lifetime of service rooted in culture, faith and care for others.

Watch Val Kumitau's ceremony below from 26:28 minutes.

The Dunedin-based Niuean elder has spent more than three decades supporting Pacific families, students and church communities while helping younger generations stay connected to Vagahau Niue.

She has worked with the Vagahau Niue Trust during Niuean Language Week, helped researchers better understand Niuean artefacts held in museums, and was a founding member of Pacific Trust Otago.

She has also supported Niuean scholarship students studying in Dunedin including by preparing traditional meals and helping young people settle into life away from home.

Niuean community leader Vai Kumitau, left, with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House in Wellington. Photo/Governor-General of New Zealand

“I love to see the children of Niue come down here. I love to hear the Niuean language when they speak,” Kumitau told PMN News earlier this year.

Her message to younger Niueans is to make language and culture part of who they are.

“Learn the language, learn the culture with a heart, not the mouth,” she says. “If you use the mouth, it will never work.”

Kumitau was also among 50 influential Niueans recognised during the 50th anniversary of Niue’s Constitution in 2024.

Three days after Kumitau received her honour, Leifi received his MNZM at Government House.

The Canterbury Police inspector has spent almost 42 years in the New Zealand force with much of his career focused on relationships with Māori, Pacific, and ethnic communities.

Watch Inspector Neru Leifi's ceremony below from 17:54 minutes.

His work has included Police outreach to Pacific communities in Christchurch, mentoring Niuean officers, and strengthening connections through the Pacific Policing Programme.

Leifi has also served as an International Peace Monitor in the Solomon Islands and helped train Indonesian police, prison, and specialist teams in community policing approaches to counter violent extremism.

His career has also put him at the centre of major events in Christchurch including the 2011 earthquakes when he helped coordinate the rescue of more than 100 people from a damaged building.

But Leifi says the recognition is not his alone.

“I’m still now sort of finding the words … it’s not just for me, there’s a load of other people who’ve helped me along the way for me to be where I am now,” he told PMN News.

His approach to policing has long been grounded in relationships.

Inspector Neru Leifi with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House in Wellington. Photo/Governor-General of New Zealand

“With our people, we’re all about relationships and partnerships,” he said. "The community is a big part of it.”

The formal investitures now mark the latest chapter in two very different careers connected by the same focus: serving Pacific communities and strengthening connections across generations.

Kumitau’s work continues through language, culture, church and community while Leifi remains in policing and continues to support communities in Canterbury and beyond.