She came to New Zealand in the 1960s as an 18-year-old "and it was a shock to me to see for the first time the tall buildings and all the cars and trucks".

In the early days when she sorely missed Tokelau, her family and familiar island foods "big time"; the Catholic church was a great support.

The monsignor at Ss Peter and Paul's parish had noticed many of us coming to services and he organised for us to go to night school."

Two or three nights a week, after a full day of work assembling television sets at the Rola Company plant at Wingate, Mrs Lemisio would join others from Pacific nations, China and India at night classes at Petone Tech, mainly to improve their English language. Continue reading

He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

"As a Catholic community, we are delighted to see him acknowledged in this way for his contribution, over decades, to education in Catholic Colleges," said Paul Ferris, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Catholic Education Office.

Fouhy was Headmaster of St Peter's College for boys in Epsom for 27 years before leaving in 2015 with ideas of retirement.

In a sign of his commitment to Catholic schooling, he took up the role of headmaster at St Paul's College in Ponsonby, his commitment is already making a difference in the school.

Reflecting on his 27-year tenure at St Peter's College Fouhy said at the time to the New Zealand Herald "Parents of boys want their sons to be good men," he said.

"In my mind, character trumps achievement. And if you've got good character in the student body, you've got good achievement."

"Kieran Fouhy has over a long period of time been a dedicated educationalist and advocate for quality education in an authentically Catholic environment," said Bishop Patrick Dunn, Bishop of Auckland.

Dunn said it was clear to those who know him that the award is a recognition of the passion he has for his work.

The Bishop said that there is much Fouhy and his family can be proud of in his contribution to the education and formation of so many young men.

"Kieran is married to a teacher and his five daughters are also in education - so clearly he has passed on his passion for learning!"

Source

• Supplied
• Image: facebook.com

• Maretta Tuasivi Solomon and Pulotu Arthur Solomon have been made Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
• Elizabeth Horgan has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of merit.
• Anne Miles has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The Solomons co-founded the Pacific Peoples Learning Institute, Martin Hautus (MHI) in 1990.

MHI was established to cater for the growing number of predominantly Pasifika learners who were failing in mainstream education.

MHI has around 300 students each year and is considered a leading learning institute for the Pacific.

Elizabeth Horgan has worked at St Joseph's school in Otahuhu for more than 40 years.

For the last 22 years she has been the School's Principal.

She introduced the Reading Together Programme to South Auckland Catholic schools.

The programme fosters parents' involvement with their children's literary development.

Horgan is also involved with the Gladiators of Change programme, organised for parents from Otahuhu and Mangere to be more involved in their children's lives.

Anne Miles has made significant contributions to McAuley High School since becoming its principal in 2003.

She has spearheaded initiatives to raise academic achievement and the decile one school has seen outstanding improvements in NCEA and University Entrance results.

Using the findings of the master's thesis of one of her staff, she has also improved parental engagement with the school.

More than 500 family members were able to improve their skills and gain confidence, leading some into further education, employment or to volunteer for boards of trustees of other schools.

The school's pastoral care network has also been strengthened to provide a support network to enable all students to succeed.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

Mr Simon is now a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) and his wife has a Queen's Service Medal (QSM).

Asked whether all those years of composing songs, singing and tutoring kapa haka were hard work, Mr Simon said they were. "But you don't even consider it hard work. It's something that needs to be done, because the people enjoy it."

Mrs Simon, who has organised his life since his health failed, agreed. "When you're working with people, it's always hard work, but it's something you enjoy when you see the results," she said.

Source

• Wanganui Chronicle

Vera says she will receive the NZOM on behalf of her late brothers and sister, Rihari and Matiu Mareikura, and older sister Joan Akapita.

She is the longest-serving guitarist in the history of the Hui Aranga Festival. She has played 50 years for the Ruapehu Maori Catholic Club, based at Maungarongo Marae.

The Hui Aranga is held during Easter weekend and has been going for 66 years.

Source

• The Wanganui Chronicle
• Image: AIO Aotearoa Whanau