Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban to receive an Honorary Doctorate from NUS
Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban
Photo: Supplied
In honor of Dame Winnie Laban's outstanding contributions to the welfare of Pacific Islanders,
particularly our Samoan people in Aotearoa, the National University of Samoa will award her an Honorary Doctorate of Letters.
As a Council Member at the National University of Samoa from 2012 to 2021, she provided ten years
of service, which is also recognized by this award.
Hon Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban is the daughter of Emi Anealaise Tunupopo (eldest daughter of Tunupopo Patu of Vaiala and Va’asamalelagi of Safune and Falelatai) and Ta’atofa Kenneth Laban (eldest son of Leutele Va’afusuaga Poutoa of Falefa, Falese’ela and Lefaga and Winnie Laban of Levili). Ta’atofa and Emi migrated to New Zealand in 1954. Luamanuvao and her brother, Fauono Ken, were born and educated in Wellington. Luamanuvao is married to Dr Peter Swain.
Graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a degree in social work, Luamanuvao has
experience working as a public servant, community worker, probation officer, and school counselor.
She received the title of Luamanuvao, a Samoan chief, in 1992 from the community where her mother was born.
Luamanuvao oversaw Consumer International's South Pacific Consumer Protection Initiative in the
1990s, which worked in fifteen Pacific Island nations to establish consumer protection agencies, put legislation into place, and advance education and informational initiatives in regional tongues.
She earned her post-graduate degree in development studies from Massey University in 1998.
Luamanuvao became the first woman from a Pacific Island to be elected to the New Zealand
Parliament in 1999.
She served as the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, and Associate Minister of Social Development,
Economic Development, and Trade while serving as the Member of Parliament for the Mana Electoratefrom 2002 to 2010, leading trade missions to Pacific Island countries.
She received the Companion of the Queen's Service Order (QSO) in 2011 for her contributions to the
public and the community.
In October 2010, Luamanuvao resigned from the House of Representatives to accept a new role at
Victoria University of Wellington as Assistant Vice Chancellor (Pasifika).
She has made a substantial contribution to the achievement of Pacific Islanders in universities by
offering strategic leadership for Pasifika students and faculty as well as by promoting policy proposals
that improve their welfare.
For her contributions to education and the Pacific Island Community, Luamanuvao was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 with the title of Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM).
Luamanuvao is currently Chair, Patron or Member of a wide range of public service, academic, and community organisations in New Zealand.
She was previously engaged in the following capacities as:
Member, National University of Samoa Council, 2012-2021
Member, Institute of Judicial Studies Board, 2011-2021
Member of Creative New Zealand Arts Council, 2014-2021
Election Monitor, Papua New Guinea, Commonwealth Secretariat, 2022
Election Monitor, Pakistan, Commonwealth Secretariat, 2018
Election Monitor, Tanzania, Commonwealth Secretariat, 2016
Member, Advisory Committee for the Minister of Pacific Peoples 2016-2017
Chair, Pacific Arts Committee Creative New Zealand 2013-2014
Luamanuvao has also received the following Honours and Awards:
Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM), June 2018.
Companion of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO), April 2011.
The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, October 1990.
Lifetime Achievement Award, New Zealand Women of Influence, 2020.
The Ann Dysart Distinguished Service Award, Multicultural New Zealand, 2021.
Tribute to an Icon, Wellington Gold Awards, 2018.
Hutt City Mayoral Citation for Community Service, 2021.
To add to her impressive achievements, the National University of Samoa on 31st March 2023 will confer upon her an Honorary Doctor of Letters in recognition of her valuable and substantial contribution to the welfare of our people in Aotearoa New Zealand and Samoa through her service to the National University of Samoa as a Council member from 2012-2021.