Former All Black and Manu Samoa international Tuigamala Vaaiga Tuigamala was among the many Maori and Pacific people to join the Queens Birthday honours list with other distinguished New Zealanders.
Tuigamala was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby and the community. He is currently a funeral director out in Waitakere, west Auckland.
Also among those honoured were former All Whites soccer star Wynton Rufer, of Maori descent, who was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Samoan academic, Misatauveve Dr Melani Anae, of the University of Auckland who was made a Companion of the Queens Service Order for services to the Pacific community, and artist Michael Tuffrey, who was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to art. He is famous for his Pisupo Lua Afe sculpture made entirely with empty corned beef cans, back in 1994.
Below is a full list of Maori and Pacific people, and those who served the respective communities, who made this year’s Queens Honours list.
THE ORDER OF NEW ZEALAND
The Queen has been pleased on the occasion of the celebration of The Queen’s Birthday, to make the following appointment to The Order of New Zealand.
O.N.Z. - To be a Member of the said Order:
Sir Murray Gordon HALBERG, M.B.E., of Auckland.
Dated at Wellington this 2nd day of June 2008.
THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT
The Queen has been pleased on the occasion of the celebration of The Queen’s Birthday, to make the following appointments to The New Zealand Order of Merit.
D.C.N.Z.M. - To be Distinguished Companions of the said Order:
Mr Harawira Tiri GARDINER, of Wellington. For services to Māori.
C.N.Z.M. - To be Companions of the said Order:
Mr Anaru Ririwai RANGIHEUEA, O.N.Z.M., J.P., of Rotorua. For services to Māori and the community.
Mr Wynton Alan Whai RUFER, of Auckland. For services to soccer.
O.N.Z.M. - To be Officers of the said Order:
Mrs Tufuga Holoatu Nesi LAGATULE, Q.S.M., of Christchurch. For services to the Pacific Islands community and women.
Mr Derek Arana Te Ahi LARDELLI, of Gisborne. For services to Māori arts, in particular ta moko.
M.N.Z.M. - To be Members of the said Order:
Mrs Arihia Darryl BENNETT, of Kaiapoi. For services to Māori and the community.
Dr Peter Keith HARWOOD, of Auckland. For services to Māori and the community.
Mr Joseph Parata HAWKE, of Auckland. For services to Māori and the community.
Dr Ngapare Kaihina HOPA, of Hamilton. For services to Māori.
Ms Whaearangi Rangi INIA, of Auckland. For services to Māori and the community.
Mr Alma Edmond MIHAERE, of Lower Hutt. For services to Māori.
Mrs Hinewehi MOHI, of Auckland. For services to Māori.
Ms Molly Easther Lillian PARDOE, of Gisborne. For services to Māori health.
Mr Cassidy Wehipeihana TANGAERE, of Wellington. For services to Māori language education.
Mr Robert Wayne TAYLOR, of Suva, Fiji. For services to the New Zealand Customs Service.
Mr Andrew Moke TIMOTI, of Rotorua. For services to touch rugby.
Mr Michael Cliff TUFFERY, of Wellington. For services to art.
Tuigamala Va'aiga Lealuga TUIGAMALA II, of Waitakere. For services to rugby and the community. 
THE QUEEN’S SERVICE ORDER
Q.S.O. - To be Companions of the said Order:
Misatauveve Dr Melani ANAE, of Auckland. For services to the Pacific Islands community.
Mr Tione HAUNUI, of Ngaruawahia. For services to Māori.
Mr Te Wano WALTERS, of Te Puke. For services to Māori.
THE QUEEN’S SERVICE MEDAL
Q.S.M.
Miss Eleanor Joan Parehina BARTON, of Hamilton. For services to Māori and the community.
Mr Koroneihana COOPER, J.P., of Ngaruawahia. For services to Māori.
Paula Marie ENOKA, of North Shore. Constable, New Zealand Police. For services to the New Zealand Police.
Miss Ataga'i ESERA, of Christchurch. For services to the Pacific Islands community.
Mr Tamati Waka Tenene HEPERI, J.P., of Hamilton. For services to the community.
Mrs Judith Ann KARAITIANA, J.P., of Wanganui. For services to the community.
Miss Jacqueline Imelda MAURIRI, of Hawera. For services to Māori.
Mrs Noreen Linda MOORHOUSE, of Whangarei. For services to Māori and the community.
Mrs Rangi Anewa PARKER, of Hamilton. For services to historical research.
Afioga Tagaloa Nua SU'A, of Christchurch. For services to the Pacific Islands community.
Lieutenant Colonel Graeme Taiuru VERCOE (Retired), of Rotorua. For public services.
Vaoga Mary Lelefua WATTS, of Waitakere. For services to the Pacific Islands community.
