Soulton House Publishing Sponsors “Pacific Woman of the Year” Award

SOULTON House Publishing has created a new honour “Pacific Woman of the Year Award” to recognise the pioneering feats of Pacific women. The award is part of the company’s initiative officially designating the month of November as Pacific Women’s Month. Counties Manukau Mayor, Sir Barry Curtis, was on hand to support the historic occasion and presented a citation on behalf of the City of Manukau to the SOULTON House Publishing nominee, Anae Si’anaua Ostler.

“I’m stunned”, she said. Anae, the first Pacific Woman of the Year is no stranger to pioneering. She was the first Pacific broadcaster to hit the New Zealand airwaves and leading a full though varied career, Anae blazed a trail for many other Pacific people to enter the Public Service. The pioneering Spirit runs strong in her veins; she was also the first Pacific social worker in New Zealand, the first Pacific appointee to manage the editorial and translation team for the Department of Education and worked with renowned poet, James K. Baxter, and Samoan writer, Albert Wendt to translate their works.

Anae is a humble woman who has never sought fame, but she is an integral part of many young women’s lives and an outstanding role model. She holds the Queen’s Service Medal (1994) for her service to the Samoan community in New Zealand, and a Justice of the Peace. Anae was the first Pacific woman to be accorded the ceremonial rites of the Maori cloak by John Rangihau, and was complimented on her karanga by Canon Hone Kaa. This is only the tip of the iceberg of this woman’s outstanding achievements and landmark career of firsts. Now retired, she continues to serve our justice system both as an interpreter and translator on an as needed basis.

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