Pasifika advocate work recognised
A love of community and a love of rugby have been the driving forces behind a Timaru lawyer's recent recognition.
Aoraki Legal director and lawyer Pauline-Jean Luyten was the co-founder of the South Canterbury Tongan Society and has been a stalwart advocate and trailblazer for the Pasifika community in the world of New Zealand rugby.
For her services to rugby and the Pacific community she has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) as part of this year's King's Birthday Honours.
She joked that she felt a bit too young to be receiving the honour.
"Compared to some who normally might get this, I still haven't finished my tenure and all the things that we're trying to achieve."
It felt a bit weird, or even premature, she said.
"The stuff we do is never for ourselves, it's always for your community and to see what differences you can make.
"For me personally, it's validation, I guess, that I'm on the right track and responding to what our communities need.
"It's also exciting to be sharing it with Sina Latu, to both be put forward with the Pacific community aspects of it is pretty cool."
Ms Luyten has led several strengths-based cultural, social and wellbeing initiatives across South Canterbury and in the rugby world became the first Pacific woman appointed to the South Canterbury Provincial Rugby Union Board and in 2022 the first Pacific woman to be appointed to the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Board as an emerging director.
She was appointed to the NZR Pasifika Advisory Group and elected co-chair in 2021 and in 2024 helped secure Pacific representation within the NZR's new governance structure.
Ms Luyten said her work centred around trying to normalise cultural differences.
"Just because people come from different cultures doesn't mean you actually haven't got the common ground or the common goals."
She said receiving the honour made her reflect on the work she had done and how great it had been to combine her passions.
"It's actually been pretty amazing doing that.
"It's kind of almost gone full circle, because when I first started, I was looking at being a sports lawyer.
"It never eventuated, but it's kind of gone full circle where I've been doing it in sports governance and applying some of those skills and assets to it."
She said her current goal was working with the New Zealand Pasifika Rugby Council to have them become a voting member of New Zealand Rugby.
"On the 8th of May, there was a vote, we got 61% and we needed 61.3% to pass muster, so we're hoping that could happen by the end of the year.
"The value of being effectively a stakeholder or shareholder is huge.
"One day I'll also do my PhD, but I don't think anyone can make me do it right now."
She was very grateful to everyone that had played a part in her receiving the honour.
"I want to thank my immediate family, my kids, my twin sister, my firm and the Pacific Advisory Group.
"I also want to acknowledge my late father Henry, who couldn't be here to see this — he would be blown away.
"Also my mum, she is one of the elders and she's been here as one of the first Tongans to arrive in 1970."
She wanted to acknowledge everyone who had welcomed and had worked with her and her family.
"I'm born and raised here, so I've lived in both worlds but so many people were warm and welcoming."
connor.haley@timarucourier.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
13 hours ago
- NZ Herald
All Blacks 2025: NZ rugby coach Scott Robertson's revolution enters decisive stage
The All Blacks' story has certainly followed a revolutionary path in that there was a seismic cleanout of personnel after the 2023 World Cup – a grand toppling of the previous regime that felt brutal and public in the way so many lost their jobs, and lost them while they were still in them. And then came the period of unrest, the uncertainty in the aftermath of the blood-letting that saw Robertson suffer upheaval in his own coaching team after assistant Leon MacDonald quit after five tests. It saw Robertson pick an unwinnable fight with his employer by regularly protesting existing All Blacks' eligibility policies and advocating for change. Then in the final test of the year there was TJ Perenara's politicised haka, which caused significant angst and upset among the senior playing group. There was also an at-times bitter and toxic battle between warring factions trying to amend New Zealand Rugby's constitution to change the way directors were appointed. Damian McKenzie was given sporadic opportunities at first five-eighths last year. Photo / Photosport Last year was turbulent, and there was an air of volatility about the All Blacks in their chop-and-change selections (Robertson was unable to commit to Damian McKenzie as chief playmaker), their up-and-down performances, and their failure to deliver a transformational brand of rugby that was cohesive and enlightened. If there was a revolutionary tactical blueprint, a bright new vision for how players are presented to the public, and an intent to unearth a cohort of emerging superstars, it never materialised amid the constant upheaval. But 2025 should be the year that stage two of the revolution begins. Robertson now has his coaching team set up how he wants, and with MacDonald gone there is no longer ambiguity about the axis of power and who is playing Trotsky to his Lenin. Scott Robertson and Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov. Photos / Getty Images; Supplied Graphic / Herald This is the Robertson-Scott Hansen regime and, despite the clamouring for the captaincy to be shifted to Ardie Savea, Scott Barrett is the third member of the inner sanctum. The power base has been established inside the team, and so too has it been fortified within NZR. In February, a significantly more competent and focused board of directors, led by former All Blacks captain David Kirk, took their seats. They made their presence immediately felt by getting chief executive Mark Robinson to publicly align Robertson with the eligibility policy. This effectively ended what was increasingly being seen as less of a broadly principled quest to update a no longer fit-for-purpose law regime, and more a thinly disguised attempt to bend the rules to select the Japan-based Richie Mo'unga. The greater stability in the wider rugby landscape and the confidence that may have grown within Robertson and his coaching team because of that greater stability could potentially see stage two of the revolution begin with a more radical lens applied to selection this year. Super Rugby has shifted into the playoffs to provide a more intense environment. Perhaps Robertson will be using these next few weeks to decide whether there is room in his 35-man squad for new players, and indeed whether there are some potential unexpected twists in the way some already identified talents could be utilised. Top of the list as a possible new cap will be Chiefs loose forward Simon Parker, whose work this season has been unmissable. He may well be the thundering big lump the All Blacks are constantly hunting for. At 1.97m and 117kg, he's a unique beast in New Zealand. Athletes of these dimensions roam all over Europe, but in New Zealand it is rare to find someone of this size capable of playing in the back-row and able to live with the high-paced, aerobic demands of Super Rugby. Parker may be the player the All Blacks can develop into becoming their version of South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit – a feat which would effectively be revolutionary in itself. As a positional twist, perhaps these next few weeks could provide reason for Robertson to double down on using Ruben Love as a wing in the test arena. The 24-year-old won his solitary cap playing on the right wing last year (after running at fullback for the Hurricanes) and has this season shown himself to be a more than capable first five-eighths. Is Love the sort of multi-skilled all-rounder the All Blacks could park in the No 14 jersey to replace the departing Mark Tele'a and give themselves three play-makers on the field at any one time? As revolutionary concepts go, having two natural No 10s in the back three is as radical as they come and would align strongly with Robertson's desire to have his All Blacks play a sweeping style of rugby based on the accuracy of their pass and catch. The revolution did begin last year, just not in the way everyone expected or wanted. But this year, the people need to see what they thought they were going to get in 2024 – a new-look All Blacks team that justified the decision to topple the previous regime. Gregor Paul is one of New Zealand's most respected rugby writers and columnists. He has won multiple awards for journalism and has written several books about sport.
1News
a day ago
- 1News
'Run it' goes underground: Backyard version of tackle game live streamed
Another "run it straight" event took place in a backyard last night, taking a more scaled-down approach to the controversial craze. After having its event at Barfoot & Thompson Stadium in Kohimarama cancelled last month, Up the Guts NZ decided to go ahead in a nondescript backyard, believed to be in Auckland, and livestream it over social media. The craze involves two people running at and crashing into each other at speed. Last week, 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite died after he received a serious head injury while playing a game based on the dangerous trend with friends in Palmerston North. Similar events have received backlash, with health officials and brain injury advocates concerned about the dangers of the activity. ADVERTISEMENT With public venues cancelling the events, it appears to have moved onto private property. Participants collide at last night's event (Source: Instagram) Last night's event took place under a gazebo at an address believed to be in Auckland. While only a small crowd of people gathered to watch, more than 13,000 tuned in over social media. Participants squared off from each side of the property, in the hope of winning a $5000 cash prize. In the livestream, one of the announcers could be heard saying he was looking for some "massive hits tonight". A $500 cash prize was awarded to the participant with the biggest hit. In a difference to other events, all participants wore headgear and mouthguards. They also ran at each other from a much closer distance. ADVERTISEMENT Up the Guts NZ and its organiser, Kimami Ngaluafe, both claimed it was being held to 'raise awareness for mental health and suicide in our neighbourhoods'. Two participants collide at last night's event. (Source: Instagram. ) According to NZ Herald, Ngaluafe said Up the Guts had implemented greater safety measures. 'For example, we have half the running distance to minimise collision impact. Mouthguards, headgear and shoulder protection are compulsory here. We have on-field spotters, first-aiders and medics on-site. Participant safety is our No. 1 priority,' he said. 'But not only that, our biggest goal is to raise awareness for mental health and suicide. Mental Health New Zealand stats show the Māori and Pasifika, especially our men, have the highest rates of suicide in this country, particularly our young males aged 15 to 24 years old.' 1News has approached Ngaluafe for comment on last night's event. Mouthguards and headgear won't prevent brain injury, expert says ADVERTISEMENT Brain Injury NZ Vice-President and AUT associate professor with the National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, Kelly Jones, said the footage from last night's event was 'pretty hard to watch'. She said that things like mouthguards and headgear wouldn't limit the risk of a brain injury to those participating in the activity. Brain Injury NZ Vice-President and AUT associate professor with the National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, Kelly Jones (Source: Supplied) 'The brain is a soft, jellylike substance surrounded by fluid within a hard casing, being our skull. 'If the head is travelling along at speed and comes to a sudden stop, the brain can keep travelling and slam into the skull. That's where we see brain injuries ranging from concussion through to more moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries. 'Mouthguards are designed to protect mouths and teeth – they do that very well. But mouth guards and headgear do not protect against brain injuries. They're not going to stop the brain moving inside the scalp and potentially being bruised.' She criticised the call for 'massive hits'. ADVERTISEMENT 'Mouthguards and headgear with 'massive hits' are not going to prevent brain injury.' Stacey Mowbray of Headway said Ryan Satterthwaite's death was an 'absolute tragedy' but wasn't surprised it happened. (Source: 1News) Jones said that wearing mouthguards and headgear could even have a 'reverse effect'. 'The wearer thinks, oh, I can really go all out, give it my all because I'm protected.' She said there was 'no way' to reduce the risk of brain injury in these activities, 'We've got two people running straight towards each other, and people are looking for massive hits. The risk of brain injury cannot be eliminated.' Jones also said it was 'interesting' to see the organisers used the event to promote mental health awareness. ADVERTISEMENT 'Having a concussion, which is a mild form of traumatic brain injury, through to more severe injury, does heighten the risk of problems with mood, anxiety, depression and risk of suicide. 'They're likely complex relationships, but we know that they exist, so it's interesting to hear that the spin on that has been to promote means health. 'I don't see how this activity will achieve that.' Teen's death sparked warnings, condemnation Ryan Satterthwaite, 19. (Source: Ryan Satterthwaite was at a 21st party when he and his friends decided to have some 'harmless fun' and have a go at their own imitation of a 'run it game'. He suffered a serious head injury while being tackled and was taken to the hospital by his friends. He died on the evening of 26 May. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon called Satterthwaite's death an 'absolute tragedy'. ADVERTISEMENT 'It's incredibly tragic for the young person involved, for their family, for their friends. It's a good reminder for people to take personal responsibility, for individual responsibility, to think about the activity,' he told Newstalk ZB. 'But I'd also say to adults and sports influencers and celebrity influencers, or whatever it is driving this sort of craze, they should be thinking and reflecting very strongly right now.' Pete Satterthwaite, Ryan's uncle, called the activity 'utter stupidity'. 'Don't do it, it's utter stupidity. It seems like a bit of harmless fun, and as a teenager, I probably would have been doing the same thing with my friends, but no one gives any thought to the consequences," he said. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, suffered a serious head injury while playing a game based on the controversial craze. (Source: 1News) 'They can have all of the medical supervision they like. They can have all the tackling practice that they like, but nothing is going to prevent serious injuries from happening." He called on athletes and others who were influential in the space to speak out against participating in the activity. ADVERTISEMENT 'I am hoping that out of this, we'll get some All Blacks, some rugby league players to stand up and express what a dumb idea that this particular game is,' he said. NZ Rugby urged people not to participate in similar events. 'Those wanting to play contact sports should register for a school or club team and learn in a controlled and safe environment how to tackle safely and the art of evasion.'
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Olympic-level coach integral to the sport
A man described as a pioneer of swimming in New Zealand says he was not a swimmer of note himself, and "sort of drifted into coaching". Pleasant Point man Clive Power has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to swimming in the King's Birthday Honours. Mr Power has dedicated more than 50 years to coaching and mentoring both coaches and swimmers at all levels, and was instrumental in the success of some of New Zealand's top swimmers and swim coaches. He said the honour was a surprise, but one he was very appreciative of. While for most of his career he was based in the North Island, and in the recreation department at Christchurch Polytechnic, he and his wife Joyce moved to Pleasant Point 14 years ago, to be closer to their two sons. He picked up the role of coach at CBay when it opened, until a permanent appointment could be made. At 79, he says over the last couple of years he has "slowly petered out". "It's really time to step down and let the next generation come through." Educated mostly in Te Awamutu, before heading to university and teacher's college, his physical education background led to his career in coaching. "I used to look after 'the baths' and drifted in to coaching from that point on. "I wasn't a swimmer of any note at all, I played mostly water polo, but there wasn't the same number of coaches at that time, and it was just how things happened." The sport had changed considerably over the past 50 years, from lifting weights made out of concrete in the garage, to today's high-performance centres. "You had to be creative, you had to think about things a little more deeply, to make things work." Holding several positions at regional, national and international levels including as New Zealand swim team coach for several tours, Commonwealth Games, Olympics Games and Paralympics Games, Mr Power said there had been a lot of highlights. "To focus on one would be unkind to a lot of the athletes I coached." However, his involvement in taking paralympic swimming from something "pretty gratuitous" to today's sport for high performance athletes in their own right and on an equal footing to their able-bodied fellow athletes, was particularly satisfying. Now enjoying being based in South Canterbury, Mr and Mrs Power were making the most of the opportunity to explore in their motorhome. "As with everybody that gets to this point, you have to pass on your thanks to family members. "There's a hell of a lot of sacrifices that go into careers, you can't be whistling off overseas without that support."
