Investitures - Monday 31 August 2009

  • <span class="title">Le'autuli'ilagi Taotua Malaeta Sauvao</span><br/><p> Le'autuli'ilagi Taotua Malaeta Sauvao, of Porirua, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Samoan community.  Mrs Sauvao, pictured after the ceremony with her family, has been involved in the Pacific Island community in Porirua for more than 30 years.  She is notable for her research on the transition of Samoan Aoga Amata children to primary school, which is used in learning resources for early childhood education.  She is a founding member of the organisation for the teaching and learning of the Samoan language: FAGASA, was national treasurer and is a member of the national executive.  She was the Deputy Director of the Wellington Multicultural Education Resource Centre and is the regional coordinator for the Association of Presbyterian Women.  Mrs Sauvao was a founding member of the Pacific Advisory Council which established the Whitireia Community Polytechnic and was the chairperson of the Polytechnic’s Pacific Advisory Committee. </p>
  • <span class="title">'Ilaispia Robson</span><br/><p> 'Ilaisipa Robson, of Blenheim, received the Queen's Service Medal for services to the Pacific Islands community and the community.  Mrs Robson, pictured with her daughter Heather Robson, has contributed to the Blenheim community and worked with its Pacific Island community for more than 25 years.  She was involved with the Community Workers Forum; has been a volunteer at the Marlborough Community Centre and is involved in all aspects of its operation.  She started the Marlborough Multicultural Group and is a volunteer with the Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society.  She was instrumental in the formation of the Pacific Island Community Trust in Blenheim.   Mrs Robson also organises cultural activities for Pacific Island people and has been a volunteer with many other community organisations, including the Marlborough Community Foodbank. </p>
  • <span class="title">Donald Rangi</span><br/><p> The Rev Canon Donald Rangi, of Wellington, received the Queen's Service Medal for services to The Treasury.  Rev Rangi has worked in the state sector for 50 years.  He started as a cadet with the State Services Department in 1959, where he joined The Treasury.  He is a controller of supply and delegation at the department’s macroeconomic branch and is also the department’s kaumatua.  He was ordained as a cannon into the Anglican Church-Tikanga Māori in 2006.  He is pictured with Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, after the ceremony. </p>
  • <span class="title">John Clarke</span><br/>John Clarke, of Gisborne, received the Insignia of a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for services to local body affairs and the community.  Mr Clarke, pictured with Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand after the ceremony, has served the Gisborne community in a number of local government roles for more than 20 years.  He served as Chairman of the Waikaho County Council, chaired the transition committee that merged seven authorities into the Gisborne District Council, and was the new Council’s first Mayor from 1989 to 2001.  He was also a member of the East Coast United Council, the Gisborne District Roads Council, and was chairman of the local Consultative Committee for the East Coast Forestry Project.  He was Chair of the Establishment Committee of the Tairawhiti Area Health Board and is also involved with many local companies, including Port Gisborne Ltd.  He was the Gisborne District Recovery Manager for Civil Defence and led the recovery from flooding in 2005 and the earthquake in 2007. 
  • <span class="title">Leslie Holborow</span><br/>Emeritus Professor Leslie Holborow, of Paekakariki, received the Insignia of a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for services to education and the community.  Emeritus Professor Holborow has contributed to university education in New Zealand for more than 20 years.  He was the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University for 12 years until 1998, during which time the student roll doubled, income trebled, and its international reputation was strengthened.  He also oversaw the establishment of the Victoria University Foundation and the Adam Art Gallery and the development of the Pipitea campus.  Professor Holborow has also been involved with music and was a member of the Friends of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Committee and the Music Federation Management Board.  He served as chair of the Lilburn Residence Trust and the Wellington Group of the Wagner Society and as a trustee of the New Zealand Quartet.  Professor Holborow is pictured with Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, and his family, after the investiture ceremony. 

The Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, and Lady Susan Satyanand, hosted an investiture ceremony at Premier House in Thorndon on 31 August.