award winners and finalists

Congratulations to all nominees, finalists and winners. Thank you to our special guests from Parliament, Prime Minister of New Zealand - Rt Hon Helen Clark, Hon Phil Goff, Hon Trevor Mallard, Hon Taito Phillip Field, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban. Thank you to all for attending and being part of this first ever special awards event for Pacific Peoples in Wellington. We look forward to 2004.
Winner Pacific Business Male Award
Dominic Fa’anoi – (Samoan) Owner and operator of Fa’anoi’s Pharmacy and Lotto Outlet – first Pacific owned Lotto outlet, only Pacific owned pharmacy. Dominic was chosen on the basis that he clearly demonstrated innovative and entrepreneurial flair by choosing to diversify from a pharmacy to the Lotto outlet and now to providing fofo (traditional Samoan massage). He has run and maintained a successful business for ten years and focuses on services that are important to Pacific people.
Sponsored by The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, presented by Dr Paul Grimwood, CEO of the Open Polytechnic 
of New Zealand.
Winner  Pacific Business Female Award
Lagi Mann – (Samoan) Owner of `Langi’s Island Styles’ shops in Petone and Porirua. Lagi was chosen because she exemplified innovation and entrepreneurial flair in selecting and successfully cornering a niche market of Pacific clothing, accessories and music. Her business has been successfully managed over a number of years and continues to flourish.
Sponsored by EPI Agency Ltd, presented by Member for Mana - Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.
Winner Pacific Arts Award
Benjamin Makisi – (Samoan, Tongan) Internationally and nationally renowned opera singer, has won a number of national competitions and performed significant roles in major operas. Ben was selected on the basis that he best fitted both criteria, particularly in relation to his work in `Classical Polynesia’ and in his work to combine his art with his Pacific heritage.
Sponsored by Isa Lei Tapa, presented by Anton Carter, Arts Advisor, Creative New Zealand.
Winner Pacific Youth Sports Award
Marianna Hodges – (Cook Islands Maori ) Regional and NZ representative in kayaking, whitewater, waka ama, netball, basketball, college and regional representative in tennis and athletics – has excelled at kayaking in particular, has been recognised through a number of national sports awards. It was fantastic to see the great talent overall in this particular category (Melissa LeToa and George Leafa were finalists). However Marianna stood out having excelled consistently at a national level in kayaking, as well as a number of other sports.
Sponsored by SPARC Aotearoa, presented by Minister of Education, Minister of State Services, Minister of Sports 
and Recreation, Minister for The America's Cup, Associate Minister of Finance, Minister Responsible for the Education
Review Office, Adult and Community Education - Hon Trevor Mallard.
Winner Pacific Community Male Award
Tupuola Malifa – (Samoan) Currently.tutoring in Samoan language at Victoria University of Wellington, has led and contributed to wide range of community groups including Samoan Restorative Justice Programme, Samoan National Golf Association among others. Tupuola was selected on the basis that he best fit all three criteria and that he had contributed to a wide range of fields within the community including education, justice, sports among others.
Sponsored by Wellington City Council, presented by Alick Shaw, Deputy Mayor of Wellington.
Winner Pacific Community Female Award
Feaua’i Burgess – (Samoan) has contributed to and been a leader in the field of early childhood education, and has been instrumental in increasing the community’s awareness of its importance. This was a difficult choice because both finalists are leaders in their respective fields (other finalist was Margaret Southwick). However, Feaua’i was chosen on the basis that she has made a contribution to the wider community, over and above her field of expertise, particularly in her contributions to Samoan Capital Radio, church and the development of Aoga Amata.
Co-sponsored by Hutt City Council and Lavea'i Trust Inc., presented by Associate Minister  of Justice, Associate 
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Associate Minister for Social Development - Hon Taito Phillip Field.
Winner Life-time of Service to the Community Award
Lani Tupu Snr – (Samoan) Lani has provided community service in a diverse range of areas to wider Wellington and Pacific community for many years including drama, religion, housing, education, member /Chair of Pacific Advisory Council and Samoan Council. Lani Tupu Snr was selected on the basis that of the three nominations he fulfilled all three criteria well; He has achieved success in the field of drama. He has made a significant contribution to the community in Wellington through his work in the fields of housing, religion, education and drama. He has demonstrated commitment to improving the Pacific community over a number of years by consistently being available and working with a range of community groups, advisory bodies and Boards.
Sponsored by Te Wananga o Aotearoa, presented by the Prime Minister of New Zealand,  Rt Hon Helen Clark.
List of Finalists for the 7 Award Categories:-
1.        Lifetime of Service to the Community Award
       · Joseph Churchward
       · Vaine Ngaro
       · Lani Tupu Snr.
2.        Pacific Business Male Award
       · Dean Umu
       · Dominic Fa'anoi
3.        Pacific Business Female Award
       · Anne Gray
       · Lagi Mann
4.        Pacific Arts Award
       · Joseph Churchward
       · Benjamin Makisi
5.        Pacific Community Male Award
       · Pr Joshua Avia
       · Tupuola Malifa
6.        Pacific Community Female Award
       · Margaret Southwick
       · Feaua'i Burgess
7.        Pacific Youth Sports Award
       · George Leafa
       · Melissa Letoa
       · Marianna Hodges