Within every grain of sand, is a unique chapter of the greatest story ever told. On Monday last week, one such chapter, on the life of Tokelau’s 70-year-old Huhana (Susana) Tetane Lemisio (nee Perez) was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II, in her Birthday Honours list. Huhana was made a ‘Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). A recognition for services to New Zealand’s ‘Tokelau community and Early Childhood Education’. Services of quality, deemed significant enough to have caused a shift in making New Zealand a better place as a result. There were 177 other New Zealanders recognized for rendering such service, including seven Pacific islanders: Mr Neil Ieremia (for services to dance), Mrs Mele Fakatali Nemaia (for services to the Niuean community), Ali’imuamua Sandra Alofivae (for services to the Pacific community and youth), Dr Monique Faleafa (for services to the Pacific community and health), Reverend Tevita Finau (for services to the Tongan community), and Mrs Selma Theresa Scott (for services to the Pacific community). There was extra significance accorded the 2016 recipients than in previous years due to three milestones reached by Queen Elizabeth in 2016: her 90th birthday, becoming Britain’s longest-lived monarch, as well as the world's oldest-serving sovereign. For Huhana, the recognition was received with humility. A time to reflect and acknowledge the sacrifices, contributions and gifts from her ancestors, family and country. But above all, recognition that the award was founded on her belief in God and source of all blessings. Tokelau’s leader, Ulu o Tokelau, Aliki Faipule Afega Gaualofa was holding bi-lateral talks with New Zealand and Pacific leaders in Auckland last week, when told of Huhana’s award. |
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Congratulations Huhana from Ulu o Tokelau, Aliki Faipule Afega Gaualofa and Acting Administrator Tokelau, Ms Linda Te Puni. Photo F. Tauafiafi |
“On behalf of the three villages of Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu we congratulate Huhana for this recognition. Not only for her services and love over the years to the many Tokelauan scholarship students and others needing the familiar surroundings of Tokelau in her home, but in flying Tokelau’s flag with honour and pride,” he told Pacific Guardians. “In these days of changing climates and global uncertainties that pose a threat to Tokelau’s future, Huhana’s recognition is a timely reminder to the Realm of New Zealand, the Commonwealth and international community that we are a country and a people who matter.” He added, “We may be small but that does not stop us from contributing in ways that make the world a better place. A contribution embodied in Huhana’s recognition by Her Majesty, and reflective of her role as an ambassador for Tokelau. Fakafetai lahi lele!” Huhana’a award recognizes her leadership, drive and determination, characteristics that led to the establishment of the first Tokelau Language Nest in Wellington’s suburb of Petone. Her love for Tokelau and need to maintain its cultural mores in New Zealand also led to the establishment of the Fatupaepae PACIFICA in the Hutt Valley in 1989. This group was instrumental in maintaining the skill of Tokelauan weaving amongst young Tokelauan mothers and New Zealand-born women. Her family house, bought in 1975 came to be affectionately named ‘central station’. A place where scholarship students, extended family and other Tokelauans “hang out” when visiting or conducting business in New Zealand. Mrs Paula Faiva, Tokelau’s Manager for Climate Change said, “Huhana deserves it [Queens honour]. As far as I can remember, her whole life revolved around the Tokelau community in New Zealand. She fostered scholarship students, and her daughter Petronilla wrote a chapter on their life growing up.” |
NUKUNONU, TOKELAU As a little girl growing up on Nukunonu, Huhana remembers looking out at the Pacific Ocean. Her vision limited by the horizon stirred her imagination to wonder at what lay beyond. She had no way of knowing about UNESCO and the world’s aspirations for peace, nor her future role. But like all youngsters, she was apprehensive and at the same time excited at the wonders imagined beyond Tokelau’s tranquil lagoons. It was not until she was 18-years old that she was to discover the world beyond the horizon. In 1964, Huhana left in the second wave of what was then called the Government Resettlement Scheme of Tokelau to New Zealand. But before she left, Huhana took stock of her heritage and place of birth, packed all her memories of Tokelau and ancestors to arm and buffer herself for the life that beckons from beyond the horizon. When she arrived in New Zealand one of the first additions to her bag of memories was, “a shock to see for the first time the tall buildings and all the cars and trucks”. But shock quickly turned the young woman from humble beginnings to follow a vision, to become a living bridge between Tokelau and New Zealand. The need to establish an anchor where future generations would be able to connect to Tokelau’s culture and traditions back home. A yearning to preserve the Tokelau she knew and loved during the first 18 years of life. |
A 1994 aerial photo of Nukunonu atoll. Photo: nzgeo.com/Arnold Gasteiger. |
Husana with the Resettlement group of young men and women on their safe arrival in Wellington. L-R: Lele Tanu, Susana, Eneliko Tovio, Hinalagi Maka, Ianeta Baker (nee Tinielu), Lui Tufala, Kailua Teilo, Filika Tato (nee Lomano), Akileo Manuele and Savelio Lomano. Photograph taken circa 26 May 1964 by an unidentified Evening Post staff photographer. [National Library of New Zealand EP/1964/1760-F] |
The Lemisio family. Photo provided |
In 1975, Huhana and Teofilo bought their first home in Petone. With their two young children at the time, and amongst a constant stream of relatives in and out of the house, they also hosted nine scholarships students from Tokelau. The students attended boarding schools around New Zealand but would all come to Petone for the school holidays. That service has profited Tokelau’s development and future generations. Today, one of those scholarship students, Sio Perez, is now the Member of Parliament for Nukunonu and carried the Ulu o Tokelau title in 2015; another, Mika Perez is the current Director for Tokelau’s Economic Development, Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. While Akata Koloi (nee Apolosio), John Fatia Perez and Kele Perez are all working for the Tokelau Public Service. |
One of the scholarship students that lived at 'Central Station' became the Ulu o Tokelau in 2015. That's Siopili Perez (R) with NZ Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully, NZ High Commissioner, Jackie Frizelle, and UNDP Resident Representative, Lizbeth Cullity on board the new Tokelau vessel MV Mataliki. Photo: Samoa Observer. |
As a result of the constant stream of people in and out of their house, it became known as the ‘Central Station’, a place where all types of people from the Tokelau community found common ground. A place where family and friends were welcomed whether on holiday, a medical appointment or just to hang-out, Huhana and Teofilo’s was that half-way house. | |
And it still is to this very day. Where Huhana and grandson Kainaki are the current hosts. HUHANA AND EDUCATION Throughout the 1970's Huhana was part of the Parent helper and Play Centre teachers' group for the Petone Polynesian Pre-School. The work was part of a vision by Father Pat Greally (Sacred Hear Parish Priest) and Sister Johanna of the Sisters of Assumption Order in Petone. However, it wasn’t until 1987 that Huhana's passion and work in education started to bear fruit. Under her gentle leadership, she and several women who had previously been involved with the Petone Polynesian Pre-school, had the courage to carry out the vision of mobilizing Tokelau’s language and culture in a formal educational setting. |
Huhana and her grandchildren |