Pacific leaders humbled by recognition in New Year 2026 Honours

Surprise and humility are how many Pacific recipients describe their reaction to being named in the New Year 2026 Honours.

Eight Pacific leaders and community champions are among 177 New Zealanders honoured for services spanning education, disability advocacy, sport, faith, culture, language revitalisation, and social justice.

Former All Black Saveatama Eroni Clarke, who was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Pacific community and rugby, says he was “absolutely surprised” by the recognition. He says the honour reflects collective effort rather than individual achievement.

Academic Professor Tracie Ailong Mafileʻo, who was also appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Pacific and tertiary education, says the honour prompted reflection rather than celebration. “It feels odd because in a way this is just what we do.”

Niuean community leader Enatuleni Ikitoa Polima says she never anticipated being awarded the King’s Service Medal for services to the Niuean community. “It was a shock and a surprise to me. I never expected anything as such in my life,” she says.

Church leader and former Polynesian Panther the Reverend Wayne Saunoa Moegagogo Toleafoa, who was awarded the King’s Service Medal for services to Pacific communities, was similarly taken aback. “I must admit, I was a bit shocked. I was a bit humbled by the fact that some people would take any notice of my work,” he says.

The Reverend Wayne Saunoa Moegagogo Toleafoa humbled that people took notice of his service. Photo/Facebook.

Disability advocate Jade Carlo Farrar, who was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to people with disabilities and the Pacific community, also describes the recognition as unexpected and says he found out about the honour while taking Santa photos with his daughter.

In congratulating all the recipients in the New Year 2026 Honours list, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged the thousands of people whose lives have been positively impacted by their service.

The New Year 2026 Honours also include the appointment of three Dames and four Knights, recognised for leadership across justice, health, philanthropy, science, sport, business, and the arts.

Among them are Coral Shaw, who is appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her leadership of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care, and Rod Drury, who becomes a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to New Zealand business and philanthropy, including his leadership of Xero.

The New Year Honours recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to New Zealand.

Ex-All Black Saveatama Eroni Clarke surprised by the recognition. Photo/Brett Phibbs/PhotoSport

Saveatama Eroni Clarke, MNZM

Appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Pacific community and rugby.

Former All Black Saveatama Eroni Clarke enjoyed a 15-year professional rugby career, representing the All Blacks, Auckland, Counties, the Blues, the Highlanders, and the Sāmoan Barbarians. He later served as President of Auckland Rugby and held governance roles within SANZAAR and World Rugby.

Clarke was surprised but honoured to be recognised for services to rugby and Pacific communities.

“These are two of my obviously biggest passions, the sport that I played and was very honoured to have played at the highest level, but at the same time as well, my passion and my heart for our Pasifika communities,” he says.

Following his playing career, Clarke worked as a Pacific addictions counsellor and later became New Zealand Rugby’s first Pasifika Engagement Manager, leading the development of the NZR Pasifika Strategy.

Jade Carlo Farrar says the journey to the high level government tables starts with building stronger communities. Photo/Facebook.

Jade Carlo Farrar, MNZM

Appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to people with disabilities and the Pacific community.

Disability advocate Jade Carlo Farrar began his advocacy journey at the age of 15 and later established PHAB Pasifika, creating space for Pacific disabled youth to develop leadership and influence.

Farrar is Chair of the National Leadership Group for Enabling Good Lives and has helped shape change affecting more than 4500 disabled people and their families.

He says progress at national decision-making tables begins within communities.

“For me, the journey to the high level government tables actually starts with building stronger communities,” he says.

Professor Tracie Ailong Mafileʻo acknowledges her late father for instilling in her a passion for education. Photo/Facebook.

Professor Tracie Ailong Mafileʻo, MNZM

Appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Pacific and tertiary education.

Professor Tracie Ailong Mafileʻo is an internationally recognised academic with more than 30 years of service in Pacific education, research, and social work.

She is a co-founder of Mana Pacific Consultants and has published extensively on Pacific-led research, as well as helping shape culturally responsive practice frameworks in Aotearoa.

Mafileʻo says for her the recognition prompts reflection rather than celebration, and credited her upbringing.

“I acknowledge my late father, who really embedded for me a passion for education,” she says.

Niue weaver and arts leader Mokafetu Smith, also known as Matafetu Smith, has been involved in Pacific and Māori weaving since the early 1980s. Photo/Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

Mokafetu Smith (Matafetu Smith), MNZM

Appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Pacific art.

Niue weaver and arts leader Mokafetu Smith (also known as Matafetu Smith) has been involved in Pacific and Māori weaving since the early 1980s and played a key role in establishing national weaving networks.

She founded Tufuga Mataponu a Niue, led exhibitions, taught weaving, and contributed to arts governance across Aotearoa.

She was named Waitakere City Art Laureate in 2006 and continues to pass on weaving knowledge from her home, supporting the transmission of Niue cultural practices to future generations.

Long-time Niuean community leader and language advocate Enatuleni Ikitoa Polima has spent more than 30 years broadcasting to the Niuean community through Radio Pekapeka. Photo/Facebook.

Enatuleni Ikitoa Polima, KSM

Awarded the King’s Service Medal for services to the Niuean community.

Long-time Niuean community leader and language advocate Enatuleni Ikitoa Polima has dedicated much of her life to Niue language revitalisation, early childhood education, community broadcasting, and elder support.

She helped establish the Vagahau Niue Trust and supported Niue language nests across Aotearoa. Polima also spent more than 30 years broadcasting to the Niuean community through Radio Pekapeka.

“I love working with the community, even my church. So it’s like part of my life,” Polima says.

Senior lecturer and Justice of the Peace Sailauama Cheryl Talamaivao say tautua is central to her leadeership. Photo/Facebook.

Sailauama Cheryl Talamaivao, JP, KSM

Awarded the King’s Service Medal for services to the Pacific community and education.

Senior lecturer and Justice of the Peace Sailauama Cheryl Talamaivao has worked across education, justice, and community safety for more than 40 years, helping bridge Pacific communities with public services.

She says the honour reflects the sacrifices of earlier generations.

“I’m a product of migrant parents and everyone else that travelled here in the late 1940s and 1950s,” she says.

Talamaivao describes service, or tautua, as central to her leadership. “The challenges and the opportunities, those are blessings,” she says.

Aere Anne Nicholas has been recognised for her long-standing service, including support for marginalised Pacific and Māori communities. Photo/Supplied.

Aere Anne Nicholas, JP, KSM

Awarded the King’s Service Medal for services to the community.

Nicholas (Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Ranginui, Waikato-Tainui, Mangaia, Rarotonga) has been recognised for her long-standing service to communities in Auckland, particularly South Auckland, through local advocacy, leadership, and community welfare initiatives.

Since 2003, she has volunteered with organisations including Kidney Society New Zealand, the Cancer Society, City Mission, local marae, and the Ōtara Citizens Advice Bureau, supporting marginalised Pacific and Māori communities.

She has played a key role in cultural and community events, including more than two decades as an award presenter and judge at ASB Polyfest, and continues to serve in governance roles across education and community trusts.

Nicholas has also been a Justice of the Peace since 2009 and remains actively involved in community leadership and charitable work.

Coral Shaw, left, is appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her leadership of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care. Rod Drury becomes a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to New Zealand business and philanthropy, including his leadership of Xero. Photo/Supplied.

The Reverend Wayne Saunoa Moegagogo Toleafoa, JP, KSM

Awarded the King’s Service Medal for services to Pacific communities

Church leader and former Polynesian Panther Reverend Wayne Toleafoa has worked across faith, social justice, and community leadership since the 1970s, including roles as a military chaplain and church minister.

Toleafoa describes himself as a “super optimist” guided by faith and scripture.

"Micah says God has already shown us what to do: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. That’s a very good summary of true religion."

This story was updated at 6.35am.