The first Samoan sportsman to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in 1970 has been Awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Lofipo Alipapa Afakasi who represented both New Zealand and Samoa at several international boxing events, helps and trains amateur boxers in Manukau South Auckland.
Afakasi whose been associated with boxing for 30 years says he is very humbled.
"It is quite a big honour and I thank the queen for remembering me after all this years in my boxing career, representing New Zealand and also Samoa. I am very happy, it's an honour because it is very hard to get a thing like this."
