Pacific language champions, sporting greats and community leaders honoured

Pacific leaders, educators, sports figures and community advocates are among the 178 people recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List.

Twelve Pasifika have been honoured for decades of service across Aotearoa and the wider Pacific community.

They include leaders from the Sāmoan, Tongan, Tokelauan, and Niuean communities, all recognised for work spanning generations.

Leading this year’s Pacific recipients is Beatrice Faumuinā, who has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to sports and governance.

The former discus champion represented New Zealand at four Olympic Games and five Commonwealth Games, while also holding leadership roles across sport, business and international relations.

She has helped shape athlete-wellbeing programmes and has continued advocating for Pacific voices through media and governance work.

Former world discus champion Beatrice Faumuina says the honour reflects the support of her family, mentors and community throughout her career. Photo: Supplied

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said all the recipients had helped make New Zealand “a stronger, better place”.

“The achievements and service of every New Zealander honoured on this list have helped make our country a stronger, better place, and I would like to thank them for their contributions,” Luxon said in a statement.

Among those appointed Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) is former Kiwis captain Freddie Ah Kuoi for services to rugby league and the community.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says this year’s King’s Birthday Honours recipients have helped make New Zealand “a stronger, better place”. Photo/Supplied

Ah Kuoi led the Kiwis in the 1980s and became the youngest Pasifika player to captain the New Zealand side.

He later helped establish programmes supporting young players and mentoring young offenders through fitness and life coaching.

Tokelau community leader Okesene Seanoa Faraimo was recognised for services to the community and Tokelau language and culture.

His work has focused on education, social work, Pacific wellbeing and preserving Te Gagana Tokelau.

Tongan language educator Fane Fusipongi Ketu'u was honoured for more than 40 years promoting Lea Faka-Tonga in schools, churches, and cultural events including her long-running involvement with ASB Polyfest.

Inspector Neru Grant Leifi received recognition for services to New Zealand Police and the community including Pacific policing partnerships, family violence prevention work, and peacekeeping efforts in the Solomon Islands.

Listen to Beatrice Faumuina CNZM's full interview below.

Niuean educator and language advocate Tofa Robertina O'Halloran was recognised for more than six decades supporting Vagahau Niue through teaching, writing and cultural preservation.

Pacific fashion designer Filomena Loheni, founder of Mena Designs, was honoured for services to Pacific fashion after helping bring Pacific design to international runways while mentoring young creatives.

Veteran firefighter Leota Pauga Esitone Pauga received recognition for more than 40 years of service with Fire and Emergency New Zealand and for helping establish Afi Pasefika while supporting Pacific representation within the service.

Kathleen Tuai-Ta'ufo'ou was recognised for services to the Pacific community through her leadership in health, housing, Whānau Ora and family violence prevention initiatives.

Former Black Fern Vania Wolfgramm was honoured for services to rugby, particularly her work developing women’s and Pasifika rugby pathways and leadership programmes.

Two Pacific recipients were awarded the King’s Service Medal (KSM).

Leota Pauga Esitone Pauga says the honour reflects the support of his family, colleagues and Pacific communities after a 40-year career dedicated to public safety and community service. Photo/Supplied.

Tapita Taia Ching was recognised for services to the Pacific community and education in Nelson through cultural education, youth support and church leadership.

Niuean elder Vaitoelau Kumitau also received the KSM for decades of work preserving Vagahau Niue and supporting Pacific families and students in Dunedin.

Several recipients were recognised for protecting and teaching Pacific languages, as communities continue efforts to preserve culture for younger generations born in Aotearoa.

Across the honours list, many recipients were recognised not only for professional achievement but for protecting Pacific languages, mentoring young people, and strengthening communities across Aotearoa.

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said the honours reflected “decades of leadership, service, and commitment to strengthening Māori communities, language, education, and governance.”

The government said this year’s Pacific recipients reflect the growing influence of Pacific communities across sports, education, emergency services, language revitalisation, health and the arts, while also highlighting the generations of often unseen community work that continues to underpin Pacific life in Aotearoa.

Photo/https/dpmc.govt.nz

The honours are administered through the New Zealand Government and Governor-General system. The New Zealand honours system is overseen by the Honours Unit within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Nominations are reviewed before recommendations are made, with the final honours list announced each year around King's Birthday and New Year.

To celebrate the honours and mark the King's Birthday, 1 June 2026 is a public holiday.

More details on the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List are available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

Photo/dpmc.govt.nz