Mr Sully Paea, MNZM, of Manukau, for services to youth
Sully Paea has been dedicated to improving the lives of Pacific youth in South Auckland since migrating from Niue. He was a key driver of the community-led Crosspower Ministries Trust, formed to address local issues relating to youth. With his wife, he founded the East Tamaki Youth and Resource Centre. He created woodworking- and trades-related employment opportunities, mentoring young men on parole and utilising his home as a foster home. He formed an alternative education programme for a group of young men who were disengaged from school. Mr Paea helped establish Otara 24/7 Youth Core, a government-funded project to help with rising youth involvement in gangs and violence.