Solomon-Tanoa'i won her award for helping finance projects in criminal justice and family law research.
She was one of four Pasifika women who won awards: Luamanuvao Dame Winne Laban was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, choreographer Parris Goebel was honoured with an Arts and Culture Award, and Aorere College head girl Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i won the Young Leader's Award.
