Winnifred McLelland, QSM, Dunedin
For services to the Pacific community. Mrs Winnifred McLelland was the first Tongan national to arrive in Dunedin in 1960. In 1964 she began helping to resettle Tongan immigrants in Dunedin by connecting them with the appropriate services and supporting local initiatives in health, welfare, education, culture, and recreation. She was instrumental in establishing the Tongan Community Group in Dunedin in 1974 and the national body of the New Zealand Council of Tongan Women. She was the National President from 1999 to 2000 and from 2005 to 2006. She has been a voluntary interpreter for many government services. From 1999 to 2002 she was a foundation board member of the Otago Pacific Peoples Health Trust. Mrs McLelland is a life member of the Andersons Bay Bowling Club and is a Justice of the Peace. She was women’s club captain for 10 years and also established an annual Pacific Bowling Tournament.