3 new Pacific knights

Citizens of three Pacific nations have received awards in the Queen’s New Year Honors List.

Three knighthoods were con ferred, on Leonard Usher, who for half a century has been one of the most notable figures in Fiji and Pacific affairs, on Paulias Matane, for many years an international figure as one of Papua New Guinea’s leading bureaucrats, and on Fiji’s Tui Vuda and Minister of State for Forests, Ratu Josaia Tavaiqia.

Among other well-known re cipients are Dr Isireli Lasaqa, formerly head of the Fiji Prime Minister’s Department (CBE), Daniel Maeke, Ombudsman of Solomon Islands (CMG), and David Tasion, PNG’s police commissioner (CBE). The full list of Pacific honors is:

Fiji

Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire

(Kbe):

Ratu Josaia Tavaiqia, Minis ter of State for Forests. Leonard Gray Usher, for public service.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE): Dr Isireli Qala Lasaqa, for public service.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): Livai Labaloto Nasilivata, Minister of State for Coopera tives; Kanti Lai Tappoo, for services to the community.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): Herbert Thomas Gatward, for services to the dairy industry and to the community; Ratu

Meli Loki, for services to the community; Malka Shah, for voluntary service; Surjan Singh, for services to the community.

Military List Member of the Order of the British Empire,

(Mbe):

Major Vatiliai Navunisaravi, acting commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regi ment.

Papua New Guinea

Knight Bachelor: Paulias Ngua Matane, for public service.

Order of St Michael and St George (CMG): Andrew Moriwen Douglas Yauieb, for public service.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE): Brian Kupanarigo Amini, for services to local and provincial government; Gavera Rea, for political and community services; David Dorkou Tasion, commissioner, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary; Donald Sigiton Sigimata, for public service; Peter Wan, for services to the community.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): Leith Reinsford Steven Anderson, for public and com munity service; Sergeant-Major Lapakei Bauri, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary; Sergeant Major Moses Bowi, Royal Papua New Guinea Con stabulary; Graeme William Dunnage, for services to the community; Dr James Samuel Ferguson, for services to health education and to the commun ity; Sister Claire Kadiesany, for services to the Cheshire Homes; Amugl Kuglame, for public and community services; Margarette Catherine Auhaue Loko, for services to women and youth; Regina Albina Mackenzie, for services to the community; Harold Geoffrey McLaughlin, for services to civil aviation; Momba Omba, for services to local government; James Alexander Taylor, for community and public services.

Imperial Service Order (ISO): John Boe Parker, for public service.

British Empire Medal (BEM): Benjamin Damunggo, for

public service; Senior Sergeant Anton Hambindua, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabul ary; Sergeant Poipo Kurup, Royal Papua New Guinea Con stabulary; Robert Kuvura, for public service; Neng Oi, for public service; Mauri Mala Ovia, for public service; Para irova Tokavataria, Papua New Guinea Correctional Services; Henry Kolias Wartovo, for public service.

Queen’s Police Medal (QFM): Roy Tiden, chief superin tendent; Paul Tohian, assistant commissioner.

Order of the British Empire (Military Division) Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): Colonel John Sanawe, PNG Defence Force.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): Lt Colonel John Bure Koaba, PNG Defence Force.

British Empire Medal: Sergeant Joseph Maune, PNG Defence Force; Provisio nal CWO Tako Pairop, PNG Defence Force; Provisional CWO Masil Seming, PNG De fence Force.

Solomon Islands

Order of St Michael and St George (CMG): Daniel Maeke, Ombudsman.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire: Robert Kingston Finnimore, for public service.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): Sister Ethel Mary Cuff, for services to the community.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): Rev. George Basile, for services to the community; Br Leonard Sydenham, for services to the community.

British Empire Medal (BEM): Rimu Baizovaki, for services to the community; Willie Apusai Bei, for services to the com munity; Luke Maneka, for services to the community; Peter Panahite, for public service, Timothy Zuidana, for public service.

Sir Leonard Usher

Sir Paulias Matane