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Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
‘Humbled' to be recognised
Timaru. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES When leaving Tonga over 20 years ago, Siesina "Sina" Latu could never have imagined the life she would build in Timaru. After arriving with her young family in 2004 and "hardly seeing any brown faces", Mrs Latu has dedicated the last two decades to educating the South Canterbury community about Tonga and providing a platform for Pasifika people in the region. For her work she has been awarded an Honorary King's Service Medal for services to the Pacific community in this year's King's Birthday Honours. It was an unreal feeling to have received the honour, she said. "I was shocked. It's not something that you wake up in the morning and think, 'oh I'm going to get this medal this year or even in the next 10 years'. "You'd never think in a million years that you would get a big medal from someone, let alone from the King. I'm really honoured and humbled with this recognition." Mrs Latu was a founding member of the Tongan Society South Canterbury in 2016, and since 2020 has been general manager. She has also been a part of several groups and boards as an advocate for the Pasifika community. The driving force behind the work she had done was giving families the support she did not have when she first moved to Timaru. "I had to educate people about Tonga. "They knew that we were Pasifika but not that Pasifika has a lot of different ethnic groups or islands that have their own languages and cultures. "They looked at us and it was 'you're brown so you're Pasifika' and that was it." Things had come a long way since then and many Pasifika groups wow had their own societies in South Canterbury. "At the moment we are in the process of creating a Pasifika community leaders forum or collective because now that we each have groups we want to come together and ... work together and support our kainga as a whole." She loved being a part of the Timaru community and was pleased she had made the decision to move to the region. She wished to thank God, those who had nominated her, and those who played a big part in her journey to receiving it. "I dedicate this medal to my family. They are my biggest support system. "I want to acknowledge their support, resilience and patience in allowing me to do what I do. "I also want to acknowledge the Tongan society. "It's good that Pauline [Luyten], who is the co-founder with me, is also receiving an honour. "It is a big milestone for our Tongan society, for our Timaru Pasifika community and for Tongan women. "To everyone that has supported me all the way, thank you so much. It's always a collective effort, it was never about me alone. It was everyone's effort."
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Over 100 vehicles expected at rally
Showing off their vehicles ahead of the King's Birthday rally are (from left) Richard Robinson (1974 Rover P6), Colin Hawke (1960 Austin Healey 3000) and Barry Crossman (1961 Morris Minor Traveller). PHOTO: CONNOR HALEY The South Canterbury Vintage Car Club will be turning petrol into pleasure this King's Birthday weekend. On Sunday the club will be hosting its annual Timaru All British Car Day. Co-organiser Kevin Manchester said he expected there would be upwards of 100 vehicles taking part in the event. "We could even see up to 150 because we are also expecting about 30 Jaguars coming from all over the South Island, with three even coming from the North Island. "It's a really good number, probably a few more than previous years." Mr Manchester said anyone was welcome to join the rally and just needed to bring their British vehicle and a $20 entry fee to the northern area of the Caroline Bay carpark on Sunday morning. "The more we get the merrier. "We are going to have a raffle as well and the public are more than welcome to come down and have a look at the cars between 9am and 10.30am before we depart for the rally. "All the money raised will be donated to a yet-to-be decided charity. "We'll be going to a mystery location that will be revealed on the day so people should bring some lunch along, but there will be the opportunity to stop at Couplands on the way to the venue."
