Mrs. Coleen Figo Misa Kulatea Ioane was awarded the Niue Public Service Medal, for her dedication to the Niue public service.
Premier Dalton Tagelagi presented the posthumous national award to her husband Charles Ioane at her funeral on Saturday at the Alofi Ekalesia Church.
Figo Kulatea Ioane started her career in government as an 18-year-old in 1993 and moved through several government agencies in a 28-year career.
She was a well-respected public servant, fearless and determined in carrying out her duties. She gave her all to serving the people of Niue and the government to the very end.
Mrs Kulatea Ioane is remembered for her commitment, dedication and professionalism in her years in the Service, where she held senior positions as Office Manager at Niue Bulk Fuel before her promotion to the role of Assistant Hospital Administration Manager for the Health Department.
In 2016 she took over as the Health Administration Manager.
Premier Dalton Tagelagi paid tribute to a dedicated and professional public servant who was instrumental in the efforts to keep Niue safe from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mrs Kulatea-Ioane was also recognised by New Zealand’s Minister for Pacific peoples Hon. Aupito Wiliam Sio whose tribute was read out at her funeral.
Hon. Aupito William Sio paid tribute to Figo Kulatea Ioane’s contributions to the efforts between the health department officials of the two governments to keep Niue safe from Covid 19.
She is recognised for her many contributions to the health and fitness sector on the island. Her work with the health department in securing screening programs, coordinating and facilitating visiting locums for many years, and her work to secure funding for many health programmes.
The government made the official announcement via a press statement stating that the name Colleen Figo Misa Kulatea Ioane will be added to the 2021 Honours List.
Coleen Figo Misa Kulatea-Ioane passed away on 30 October from cancer. She was 47 years old.
Hundreds of people turned up to farewell Figo last Saturday, she was laid to rest at their home at Fuselie Alofi South.