Reverend Tapita Ching, of Richmond, KSM for services to the Pacific community and education
Reverend Tapita Ching is a bilingual support worker, teacher aide and school chaplain at Victory Primary School. She has provided translation assistance to Pacific parents, hosts a Pacific Graduation event, and established Moana Pasifika at the school, teaching songs, dances and language lessons in te reo Māori Kuki ‘Airani and Gagana Sāmoa. She serves as Pou Mihana for Nelson within the Anglican Māori Diocese. Reverend Ching helped form the Nelson-Tasman Interfaith Council, and serves on the Anglican Women’s Studies Council. Through her ministry, she provides support and care for homeless people of all ages in Nelson.