Pastor Peter Leilua and his wife, Pastor Ausiaalemanaia Taliilagi Leilua have been honoured with King's Service Medals for dedication to youth and Pacific communities. Photo: Leilua family
Pastor Peter Leilua and his wife, Pastor Ausiaalemanaia Taliilagi Leilua, have called receiving their King's Service Medal, KSM, honours a momentous occasion.
Peter Leilua received the email first. Taliilagi Leilua said it wasn't until she had checked her work email that she realised that she was also receiving a KSM.
Speaking to RNZ Pacific, Peter Leilua said he initially thought it had come to the wrong email address.
"We received another reminder email, and that's when we realised it was real." he said.
"We thought about the times and seasons working late, growing weary and tired, but because we had each other, we were able to lean on each other and encourage one another, with the support of our greatest cheerleaders, our children."
They both agreed that it is an honour and a privilege to receive this award.
Pasifika couple honoured with King's Service Medals 2025 for dedication to youth and Pacific communities. Photo: Leilua family
"This award is not just ours; it is for our children, family, and community. We share this special award and moments with you all.".
Taliilagi said that they created the Global Lighthouse Foundation as a vehicle to engage with communities and promote our Global Hope Missions projects.
"I specifically worked with our young teen mums and also met regularly with local women who overcame anxiety and depression, over a talanoa, worship music, and coffee."
Peter Leilua said that during the pandemic, they founded Acts of Roskill Kindness ("ARK") which has since become Trust. During the floods in 2023 they worked tirelessly to help families, who had sought shelter in Wesley Primary School Hall.
Peter Leilua said they are still in the process of working with displaced families that were affected by the floods. They could not have provided such assistance without the support of the "local community, volunteers, trust, and groups who continue to serve alongside us, there have been some crazy days and nights."
"In the summer of 2009, we decided it was time to leave our comfortable good jobs and test the assignment of working at the grassroots level supporting our local families." she said.
Peter reflects on how they met.
"We passed each other over the years and Tili and I met again in the year 2000 not knowing we were going to work together. The boss who interviewed me stated I was going to meet a princess. I walked in, and that's when I saw my wife.
"I was so happy it was her because I didn't have her number when I spoke to her earlier that year. We started as close friends, young and in love. We got married in 2005 and had our first child."
The Leiluas have five children: their eldest son is 19, the second eldest son is 18 and attends University in Japan, a 16-year-old daughter who is in high school, a 10-year-old daughter who is attending intermediate school in the new year, and their youngest daughter, who is 4 years old.
"Our children are our biggest cheerleaders and our priority. They believed in us as much as we believed in them. They play a big part in this journey. They make it so worthwhile, having children who understand and want to be involved, makes it a whole lot easier."
The couple are still in the process of completing their Pasifika Puketapapa Plan, which is connected to some of their community initiatives.
For the year ahead they plan to work together with the local churches, completing their Lalaga community model and host a Pasifika youth summit in the creative arts sector.
The Leiluas have advice for their community; "For those who are passionate about a particular project, don't hesitate to reach out and step out in faith and do it.
"Seek wise counsel, surround yourself with people who believe in you. Be bold and courageous. You never know, or see the impact until you step out. For us, we did. Now we get to share this with you also."
The New Year's Birthday Honours list below:
To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Debra Mary Delores Sorensen - for services to Pacific health
To be Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Iosefo Fa'afiu - for services to mental health youth and the Pacific community
Anne Maria Fitisemanu - for services to business
Shelley Aroha Katae - for services to Māori and Pacific communities
Tania Mateohorere-Carole Pouwhare - for services to Māori and Pacific communities, and the environment
To be Companions of the King's Service Order:
Moeapulu Frances Eileen Tagaloa - for services to survivors of abuse in care
The King's Service Medal
Vaine Puapii Elia - for services to the Cook Islands community
Rouruina Emile-Brown - for services to the Cook Islands community
Hans Allen Key - for services to health and safety and Pacific communities
Peter Fala Aperila Leilua - for services to the community, particularly youth and Pacific peoples
Tiliilagi Leilua - for services to the community, particularly youth and Pacific peoples
Teremoana Terepai - for services to the Pacific community and seniors
