A Cook Islander, Pauline Margaret Rakera Taripo, has been made a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
In the 2012 Queen's New Year Honours list, she was given the second highest rank in the Order which is an order of chivalry established in 1917.
Dame Pauline is known in the Cook Islands as Makea Karika Margaret Ariki - in reference to her tribal status.
