‘Love and respect is my motto’

Teremoana Terepai, a proud Cook Islander hailing from Aitutaki, was at a loss for words when she received the news that she had been awarded the King’s Service Medal in the New Year Honours.

“It was very emotional for me. I never had something like this before. I thank God for this.”

Terepai’s commitment to the Cook Islands and Pacific communities includes support for elderly members, events, and promotion of cultural practices.

Terepai said two values underscore her work. “Love and respect is my motto. That’s all I can say to people.

"Just love everyone who comes along," Teremoana Terepai said. Photo/Teremoana Terepai.

“Just love whoever comes along. ”

Terepai has lived in Aotearoa for 40 years and says her passion for people continues to grow.

“Since I’ve been involved with communities, I’ve been with elderlies. I just love people.

“I love my family, especially my elderly people in the community.”

Terepai is a certified Community Coach. Photo/Teremoana Terepai.

Family background

Terepai is a mother to one and a sister to five siblings: two brothers and three sisters.

In 2011, Terepai became a certified Community Coach holding low-impact exercise classes in public spaces, including those in the Te Oro Golden Seniors Group and the Cook Islands Elderly Support Group.

Her support for the elderly was recognised for her contributions from 2008 to 2019 when she received a service certificate from Vaka Tautua.

She was actively involved in the Mad Ave Community Trust from 2014 to 2019, volunteers with Tāmaki Community Patrols, and is a member of the PACIFICA Tāmaki Branch and Koru Group for women’s support.

Terepai's commitment to serving her people, especially the elderly, is oustanding. Photo/Teremoana Terepai.

Terepai was also instrumental in a cultural event in Aitutaki, traditional dance programmes for seniors.

“We call it Koni Raoni … everybody comes back to our island, and we dance around village to village.”

Terepai also helped establish Healthy Relationships in Tāmaki (HEART), a community initiative aimed at reducing family violence by supporting relationships in homes and neighbourhoods.

She has supported health campaigns, even personally driving people to workshops on alcohol and drug education.

"Thank you God for giving me the strength to do the work," Terepai shared. Photo/Teremoana Terepai.

Terepai has also been instrumental in promoting financial literacy through Money Mates sessions hosted by Tāmaki Budgeting.

While she remained humble in her service, Terepai praised God, her family, and the community for helping her reach her full potential.

“Thank you, God, for giving me the strength to do the work, to help, to love our people.

“Thank you to everybody … my heart is crying, it’s overwhelming and emotional.”