‘When I see something that needs to be done, I just go and do it’ - Ching

When Reverend Tapita Taia Ching walks through Nelson, she sees more than a city.

She sees people who need help, children searching for belonging, and families trying to find their place far from home.

Now, after decades of service to education, faith and the Pacific community, the Cook Islands-born church minister has been recognised with a King’s Service Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026.

But for Ching, the honour is not hers alone.

"It's all coming from those I've been working with - in the community, in the church, in the school,” she told PMN News. “I give this out to them. We all work together to own this."

Ching arrived in Nelson in 1996 with her husband, an Englishman and builder, with their four sons after spending 20 years teaching in Rarotonga, where she worked with children from across the Cook Islands.

Reverend Tapita is pictured (L), with members of the community at Victory Community Centre dinner hosted by the Interfaith Council of Nelson-Tasman. Photo/Facebook

She says those early years taught her the importance of helping children feel seen and understood, especially when adapting to a new environment.

"I know what it's like being an Islander and coming into New Zealand in a bigger pool," she said. "Knowing that our cultures will be different, it's just helping our people to feel good to be in a new place, to know that they're not alone."

That belief became the foundation of her work at Victory Primary School, where she was appointed a school chaplain in 2009.

Reverend Ching is the school chaplain of Victory Primary School, where she runs a weekly group - Moana Pasifika - where children learn songs, dances and languages. Photo/Victory Community Centre/Facebook

Seeing a growing number of Pacific students without a strong cultural connection at school, she approached the principal with an idea.

"I said, you know what, I've got lots of Pasifika students here. Can we start a Moana, because the Moana... we're all surrounded by it."

The principal agreed and Moana Pasifika was born - a weekly cultural group of 30 to 40 children learning songs, dances, and language lessons in te reo Māori Kuki 'Airani and Gagana Sāmoa.

The programme also inspired an annual Pacific Graduation celebration, recognising students' growth and leadership.

"I could see that these kids will be leaders of tomorrow," she said. "It's good for them to get out and understand their culture and show the people out there who they are."

Her encouragement also helped shape the next generation of teachers.

Reverend Tapita (first from left) at an Interfaith Council Nelson-Tasman event. Photo/Facebook

Two young Pacific women who helped with language classes later decided to pursue teaching careers themselves. "It takes a village," she said.

Beyond education, Ching’s service has stretched across churches and communities throughout the South Island.

As Pou Mihana - Lead Enabler - for Nelson within Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu, the Anglican Māori Diocese of the South Island, she was ordained in 2016 before becoming a priest in 2018.

For five years, she has supported women’s leadership in ministry through her role with the Anglican Women's Studies Council in a church tradition long led by men.

She also helped establish the Nelson-Tasman Interfaith Council in 2017, bringing together leaders from different faiths to build understanding between communities.

Watch a panel discussion by the Anglican Women's Studies Council below.

Last year, they launched a music festival celebrating the many ways faith is expressed.

"We can't judge each other," she said. "God is the only one that can judge us. We are there to help each other."

Some of her most important work happens quietly away from public attention.

Ching has spent years helping homeless people attend WINZ appointments, open bank accounts, and find emergency accommodation.

This year alone, she has helped several young men and an older woman secure stable housing.

"When I see something that needs to be done, I just go and do it," she said. "We're down on this earth so that we can help each other."

Beyond education, Revered Tapia Taia Ching’s service has stretched across churches and communities throughout the South Island. Photo/Gordon Preece/topsouthnow.co.nz

Reverend Tapita Taia Ching is one of 178 New Zealanders recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours, including 12 recipients of Pacific heritage.

The honours are administered through the New Zealand Government and the Governor-General, recognising their outstanding service to communities, professions, and the country.