Dame Winnie Laban Awarded Honorary Doctorate Recognising Achievements For Pasifika

Dame Winnie is a distinguished and transformative leader who has driven profound changes within Aotearoa New Zealand’s political, social, and educational landscapes. From her career in politics as the first Pacific Island woman MP in New Zealand, to her role as the first Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pasifika in New Zealand—at Victoria University of Wellington—she has consistently broken down barriers for Pasifika representation and strongly advocated for the needs of the Pacific Island community.

Her parents emigrated from Samoa to New Zealand in 1954 and settled in Wainuiomata—where she still lives—raising her and her brother, Fauono Ken Laban there. She grew up in an ‘aiga entwined in public service, which instilled in her the traditional Samoan value of supporting other people.

After completing a Diploma in Social Work at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, she worked as a family therapist, probation officer, social worker, and community development worker.

The closure of the Kenson Industries car part factory in Wainuiomata, where many workers, primarily Pacific Islanders, lost their jobs with no support, motivated her to stand for Parliament in 1999. As an MP from 2002–2010, she worked tirelessly on behalf of Māori, Pasifika, working-class communities, and the elderly. One of her proudest achievements was leading the charge to repeal the Employment Contracts Act and replace it with the Employment Relations Act, to bring good faith negotiations into law.

Her dedication to improving the lives of others carried on into tertiary education, and during her tenure as Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pasifika at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington from 2010–2024, the number of Pasifika students enrolled at the University, as a percentage of the student population, increased from 4.7 percent in 2010 to over 6.6 percent in 2024.

“Education has always been a passion of mine because it's very consistent with my commitment to social justice,” Dame Winnie says. “Because I feel if you have an education, you have more choice, and more doors open to you. But secondly, you research, you read—you're an informed citizen.”

Dame Winnie believes passionately in making education accessible for all, and spearheaded initiatives such as the annualPasifika Roadshow, which introduces the university experience to people within their communities, as well as funding a scholarship and promoting Pacific student success in other ways.

Chancellor Alan Judge says, “Dame Winnie’s contributions to the University, and to all of New Zealand, are immense. During her impressive career she has consistently worked to uplift and celebrate Pacific peoples, and we are pleased to award her this honorary doctorate in recognition of everything she has achieved.”

Dame Winnie is a founding member of The Fale Malae Trust, a group whose vision is to build an internationally significant, landmark Fale Malae that will be a place to gather, learn and celebrate the contribution that Pasifika arts, cultures, and histories make to our national identity. Her leadership in this space and in Arts and Education will continue to shape the future of Pacific Islanders in both New Zealand and the wider Pacific region.

Dame Winnie says, “I am humbled and honoured to receive an honorary doctorate.”

Dame Winnie has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 Women of Influence Awards, her Damehood in 2018, and an honorary doctorate from the National University of Samoa in 2023.

A Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington honorary doctorate reinforces her legacy as a trailblazer and tireless advocate for the value of education.

The honorary Doctor of Literature from the University will be awarded to Dame Winnie at the second graduation ceremony at 3 pm, Tuesday 13 May.

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