Tagaloa Accepts NY's Honour Recognition On Behalf Of All The Survivors

Tuesday, 31 December 2024, 3:38 pm
Article: RNZ

Coco Lance, RNZ Pacific Digital Journalist

Moeapulu Frances Tagaloa, a member of the Royal Commission's Survivor Advisory Group of Experts, has been made a Companion of the King's Service Order for services to survivors of abuse in care.

Tagaloa spoke to RNZ Pacific about her surprise at receiving this honour, and how faith had assisted her with her own recovery.

"It's, you know, it was unexpected, and I guess I would firstly want to thank the Lord for this.

"My faith has been a major part of my healing, healing from faith based abuse by Catholic Marist Brother, brother, Bede, and I'm a Christian, so with personal relationship with God, and so I became a survivor advocate, not only because of my lived experience, but because just I believe in justice and that, you know, God has called me to this, to the survivor space."

She also thanked her husband and family.

Tagaloa explained that she and the other survivors had told their stories to the Royal Commission "because light needed to be shone on the horrific atrocities that additional tragedy really of abuse and state and faith-based care, and, you know, our stories went global, but this is really our country's shame."

She also explained that while this was an opportunity for transformational change, and justice, the truth remains that she and other survivors raised the alarm about their abuse decades ago.

"Those who were in power did not listen," she said.

Tagaloa said that she accepted the honour on behalf of all the survivors, but the need remained for changes in the system, to ensure that children and vulnerable adults were safe, while in care. She also stated that a system of redress was necessary.

She told RNZ Pacific that she encouraged all survivors to come forward and share their experiences. That doing so had been an important part of her own healing process.

While the survivors formed a community, it was a community built on pain and trauma "and committed to removing the darkness and finding the light to protect our future generations. "

The King's Birthday Honours list:

To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Debra Mary Delores Sorensen - For services to Pacific health:

To be Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

Iosefo Fa'afiu - For services to mental health, youth and the Pacific community

Anne Maria Fitisemanu - For services to business

Shelley Aroha Katae - For services to Māori and Pacific communities

Tania Mateohorere-Carole Pouwhare - For services to Māori and Pacific communities, and the environment

To be Companions of the King's Service Order:

Moeapulu Frances Eileen Tagaloa - For services to survivors of abuse in care

The King's Service Medal

Vaine Puapii Elia - For services to the Cook Islands community

Rouruina Emile-Brown - For services to the Cook Islands community

Hans Allen Key - For services to health and safety and Pacific communities

Peter Fala Aperila Leilua - For services to the community, particularly youth and Pacific peoples

Tiliilagi Leilua - For services to the community, particularly youth and Pacific peoples

Teremoana Terepai - For services to the Pacific community and seniors

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