Dated: May 28, 2025

Fa’amalo lava to Mr. Peter Leilua and Ausiaalemanaia Tiliilagi (Tili) Leilua, who recently received their King’s Service Medals (KSM) in Auckland.

The Samoan pastors were officially presented with their KSM awards by the Governor-General, The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, at Government House for their service to the community, particularly youth and Pacific peoples.

The Leiluas are parents to five children and are members of Pou Pasifika‘s Auckland action team. In this role, they support Auckland Regional Lead Mike Tuala‘s efforts to grow the network by encouraging other youth workers and practitioners to join.

Peter Leilua

Mr. Leilua received the KSM for services to the community, particularly youth and Pacific people. An experienced youth and social worker, he has extensive involvement in mentoring, organising camps, after-school programmes, and sports teams. In 2010, he co-founded the Global House Missions Trust, which provides extra support for youth, including courthouse advocacy and academic mentoring. In response to the 2023 Auckland floods, he co-founded the Art Trust, an emergency community hub, to organise food parcels and emergency accommodation for those affected.

Ausiaalemanaia Tiliilagi (Tili) Leilua

Mrs. Tili Leilua, a youth development and whānau worker, co-founded the Global Missions Trust in 2010 with her husband, Peter. Since then, she has been actively involved in its work with youth and schools in Mt Roskill. Tili established the Women’s Cafe Corner, a weekly drop-in at the Wesley Community Centre where women can gather, connect, and access support. She is also involved in local Puketāpapa community projects, the Collective Food Hub, and the Bike Kitchen.

She has also advocated for housing security as part of the Roskill Development, led the Puketāpapa Youth Collective, and was a board of trustees member at Wesley Primary School.

Congratulations, Peter and Tili, we are all so proud of you!