Sir Michael Jones after his investiture at Government House in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Sir Michael said he was thinking of his late mother, Maina Wearne-Jones, as the sword tapped him on his shoulders.
"I lost my father very young, I was only 4 years old, so she was the one who sort of raised us with my uncles and aunties and cousins," Sir Michael recalled.
"It's a tribute to having a great late mother who's no longer here, but also a great whanau with my wife and kids.
"They're the ones who have supported me and made the sacrifice so I could pursue the things I do."
Sir Michael said he was the quintessential case of the village raising the child. It was something he never forgot. He went on to found and chair The Village, a community and youth trust aiming to help keep Maori and Pasifika youth out of gangs.
The trust has grown to include a sports academy and a mentoring programme.
He also helped establish the Pacific Peoples Advancement Trust, which started and sponsors the Pacific Advance Senior School.
Sir Michael said the Pasifika community was making good progress, in spite of more challenges now than in his childhood.
"There's a lot more work to do, but I think we're trying to grow more leaders to advocate champions. I just feel I am one of many many others."
He said he was heartened by the closer bonds forged between tagata Pasifika and tangata whenua, and the direction both were moving in.
