Monica Tongia Unuia
Monica Tongia Unuia, of Mangere, received the Queen's Service Medal for services to the Pacific Islands community. Mrs Tongia Unuia has been involved with the Pacific Islands community and in particular the Cook Island community in Mangere for more than 30 years. She has been involved with Koru School as a volunteer sports coach and cultural tutor. She has been an advocate for youth, education, and promoted cross cultural leadership. She was associated with the establishment of the Pacific Islands & Cook Islands Catholic Church in Auckland in 1974. Mrs Tongia Unuia was the Cultural Arts Director for Pacific performing arts during the Auckland Commonwealth Games in 1990 and Vice Chair of the Cook Islands Catholic Church Council.