Senior Lecturer and Justice of the Peace, Sailauama Cheryl Talamaivao, JP, KSM, has been awarded the King’s Service Medal for services to the Pacific community and education.
Sailauama 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.
She was one of a number of Pacific Leaders recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours List.
Sailauama! This is the best news of 2026! May the Lord bless you always!
Congratulations Sailauama Cheryl. Well done!!
Congratulations Sailauama Chery on being recognized for your work as a Pacific leader in the 2026 New Year Honours List.
Congratulations Cheryl!
Ka rawe! He tino pai tō mahi!
Tino rawe whaea Cheryl! Amazing!!