Janet Lilo – New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the arts.

Congratulations to artist Janet Lilo – who has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the arts in the King’s Birthday Honours!

Lilo (Ngā Puhi, Sāmoa, Niue) is an educator and advocate for Pacific and rainbow arts and communities. She has been called a ‘relentless documenter’, her photographs and moving image works reflecting on and inspired by the path she tracks through the world.

Furthermore, she has held residences in Japan, China, New Caledonia, France and Aotearoa. She has been referred to as a ‘tireless advocate’ for Pacific artists, particularly in her work with Tautai Pacific Arts Trust, as founding director of interdisciplinary arts organisation Whau the People, leading All Goods community gallery in Avondale, and in nurturing the next generation of artists.

Janet attended Western Springs College – Ngā Puna o Waiōrea from 1996 to 2000.