Dame Cindy and Dr Linita Manu’atu, of Auckland, MNZM for services to Pacific education and the Tongan community
Dr Linita Manu’atu has had an academic career with Auckland universities and holds an executive leadership role at ‘Api Fakakoloa Homebased Educational Services, running professional development for educators. She has published in the areas of indigenous and migrant education, and language, culture and education. She chairs the Tongan Language Week organising committee. She wrote a book on Tongan language and culture in New Zealand. She led development of the Bachelor of Education (Pasifika Early Childhood Teaching) degree. She worked for the Tongan government to develop a degree for Tongan Early Childhood Teaching. Dr Manu’atu has contributed to the New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) on the Pasifika Caucus.