Pasifika community pride as NZ Bravery Awards honours courageous acts

A member of the Pacific community is among those recognised in this year's New Zealand Bravery Awards, which honours people who risked their lives to save others.

The list, released today, includes some of the most selfless and challenging acts seen in recent years.

Junior (Losi) Faamalosi Isaako, of Flaxmere in Hastings, received the New Zealand Bravery Decoration (NZBD), the country’s second-highest bravery honour, for “acts of exceptional bravery in a situation of danger”.

His award stands out as one of only a small number of NZBDs awarded nationwide each year. Isaako stopped two people who were stabbing, kicking, and punching another in Flaxmere on 20 June 2025.

Continuing his act of bravery, Isaako ran towards the offenders, causing one of them to flee, and kicked the other in the back. He then restrained the remaining offender until the victim could move away.

Afterwards, Isaako released the offender and gave the victim first aid until the police and paramedics arrived and took the victim to the hospital. His recognition holds special meaning for many Pasifika families, for whom courage, service, and community responsibility are core values.

25-year-old Meli Balenivalu from Fiji received a NZ Bravery Medal in 2024. Photo/Supplied

Another notable recipient is a 12-year-old boy, who also received a bravery award but has asked not to be identified publicly.

In a statement, he says: “I wish I was never put in the situation where I had to deal with an assault. It was a horrible experience, and I would not want anyone to go through anything similar.”

His father adds, “I am proud that my child is receiving such an award. I would like to thank New Zealand Police, Hato Hone St John, Auckland Hospital, and Victim Support for their response, attention and compassion for myself and my son.”

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has praised the courage of those honoured in the New Zealand Bravery Awards 2025. Photo/Supplied

This year’s list also includes five serving police officers, recognised with a Bravery Medal for actions that saved lives in floods, fires, and water emergencies.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers praised the officers, saying their courage showed “the service police officers give to their communities, day in and day out”.

“These officers did not hesitate before acting to help others in dangerous situations. We can all feel incredibly proud of them,” Chambers says in a statement.

He also acknowledged the emotional impact of such events, saying, “These events often take a toll on those involved in them.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued an official congratulatory statement to the award recipients: “None of us know how we will react when a life is in danger but in these ten cases, a brave person has disregarded their own safety to help a fellow human.

“In every single case, their actions have prevented further harm, and in many, lives have been saved only because they stepped in.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated those honoured in the New Zealand Bravery Awards. Photo/Supplied

Among the honoured officers were Sergeant Richard Bracey and Constable Friederike (Fritzi) Faber, who fought flames inside a burning garage during a family harm call-out in Clover Park last July.

With petrol burning across most of the floor and toxic smoke filling the space, both continued fighting the fire until it was finally extinguished. They were later treated for mild smoke inhalation.

Another award went to Sergeant Harshad (Harry) Ghodke, who, while off-duty with his family at the Rees River in January 2023, helped keep a young boy alive in strong currents.

In a joint statement with rescuer Susan Burke, they wrote: “Our thoughts and prayers remain with Jonathan Young’s family, who tragically lost his life during this incident… Our actions were simply a response to a child in immediate danger.”

They also honoured Young, saying his actions “demonstrated profound selflessness”.

Listen to Richard Chambers' interview with William Terite below, ahead of his visit to the Pacific earlier this year.

Detective Sergeant Heath Courtenay Jones, receiving his second bravery honour, was recognised for rescuing people trapped by the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle floods in February 2023, entering fast-rising water several times to bring victims to safety.

Also receiving an NZBM was Constable Alexander Kerr, who jumped into the Waikato River in the darkness to save a woman being dragged under the current.

Across all the awards, themes of sacrifice, service, and community care stand out as values deeply rooted in many of the cultures that make up Aotearoa, including its Pasifika communities.

For more information and the full list of honours, visit dpmc.govt.nz