In 1999, Manapori was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local-body and community affairs.

[3][4] Manapori advocated the Cook Islands Māori language to be recognised through an NCEA qualification, and Hillary College became the first school to offer NCEA-level Te Reo Māori Kūki 'Āirani.

[4] After retiring from high school teaching, Manapori taught at Manukau Institute of Technology.

[6][3] Manapori was a founding member and Chair of the council's Pacific Islands Advisory Committee, which was formed in 1991 to give advice to the council on issues affecting the Pacific community.

[3] In the 1999 New Year Honours, Manapori was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local-body and community affairs.