New Zealand-born Samoan opera singer Jonathan Lemalu is in disbelief after being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to opera.
Mr Lemalu is a Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone who has been performing internationally for over 20 years.
He said it was a complete surprise to be awarded the honour.
"I honestly didn't believe it. I thought it was a joke," Lemalu said.
"Hilarious in a way because it didn't sound like something that would be happening to me. Mum got a Queens honours in 2006 for services to the Pacific community. It felt cool in a way to follow in her footsteps."
Source:
RNZ Pacific