Pacific Islnders Presbyterian Church Newtown History

Cnr Constable & Daniell Streets. PO Box 7425 Wellington. Office phone/fax:04-389 9273. Hall:04-389 8233

OUR HISTORY

Extracts from the 50th Golden Jubilee 1953 - 2003 "Celebrating the past and embracing the future" booklet. ISBN:0-476-00175-7.
We acknowledge with gratitude and love, the land donated to the People of the Pacific from the Lewis Family.

In the beginning...
In November 1894 the Trust Board of the Cambridge Terrace Congregational Church purchased a site on the corner of Constable and Daniell Streets in Newtown, Wellington where the Newtown Congregational Church was established a few years later. In the early 1950s Pacific Islanders worshipped mainly at the Terrace Congregational Church (Rev. Lloyd Gammon assisted by Pastor Roro Rongotaua) and Cambridge Terrace Congregational Church.

In establishing the Pacific Island Ekalesia in Newtown on 6 December 1953 the Rev. Tariu Teaia was ordained as the first Pacific Island parish minister. Later that year the church was renamed the Pacific Islanders' Congregational Church (PICC), which was the first of its kind to be established in Wellington.

In 1957, Rev. Pepe Nokise was called to join Rev. Teaia in Newtown due to the increased Pacific Islands migrants to the Capital. When the Rev. Teaia passed away in 1963, the Rev. Ta Upu Pere was called to work with Rev. Nokise in 1964. Rather than continuing as a Congregational Church, the PICC became part of the Presbyterian Order in 1969 as the Pacific Islanders' Presbyterian Church (PIPC). An increased Niuean community in 1970 called for the Rev. Lagi Sipeli who was ordained associate minister at PIC Auckland. In 1977 Rev. Sipeli and Niuean parishioners joined the St James parish in Newtown.
In 1978 Rev. Ta Upu Pere was called to Tokoroa PIC, where he ministered until he passed away in 2002.
Between 1978 - 1980 Church services were held at South Wellington Intermediate School while the hall was built . The Salvation Army parish or the local Island Bay Presbyterian Church were used for other gatherings.

In 1980, Rev. Jimmy Kiriau was called to work with Rev. Nokise.
Nokise House was completed and officially opened in 1980 and was named in honour of the Rev. Pepe Nokise for his service to the parish and the local communities. After Rev. Nokise's retirement in 1981, Rev. Kenape Faletoese accepted the call and joined Rev. Kiriau in 1982.
In 1986 Rev. Faletoese was appointed as the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. In 1989, Rev. Kiriau resigned from the ministry.

In 1990 Rev. Va'alotu Solofa was called to the parish after serving as a minister in Pukerau. In 1997, Rev. Solofa left to become an associate minister at the St Johns Presbyterian Church in the heart of Wellington.

In 2000 Rev. Tauinaola Tofilau was called to Newtown after being appointed by the Maori Synod to serve the Maori people of the Presbyterian Church. He is presently our parish minister.
In 2001 Rev. Toko Ine from Auckland was called by the Wellington Presbytery Cook Island Ministry to serve the Cook Island members of Petone, Porirua and Newtown PIPC parishes. FRUITS OF THE HARVEST
The late Rev. Setu and late Mrs. Aliki Solomona
Rev. Lagaua Talagi
Rev. Aotofaga and Mrs. Gafatasi Lemuelu
Rev. Mautofu and Mrs. Tifitifi Fuimaono
Rev. Moeafusia Letoa
Rev. Talaetaureti and Mrs. Sailau Simanu
Rev. Dr Feleterika and Mrs. Rosa Nokise
Rev. Feata and Mrs. Jan Hanipale
Rev. Lapana and Mrs. Salote Faletolu
Rev. Maua and Mrs. Puavai Sola
Rev. Asora and Mrs. Henga Amosa
Rev. Malutafa and Rev. Luisa Fruean
Rev. Leslie and Mrs. Filifili Solomona
Rev. loakina and Mrs. Matagitau Alefaio

It must also be recognised, there are a number of people who have passed through these doors, and are now involved in other ministries within New Zealand and overseas.

Pipe Organ
The pipe organ was built in 1900 in England, and was installed in the Congregational Church in 1900-1901. The organ originally had a mechanical two manual, before it was dismantled from the old wooden Church in 1978 by Mr. G Sanders. The pipe organ was rebuilt with new additions, and was installed in Nokise House in 1980.
In 1977, due to its rarity, the organ was in need of major repairs. This was completed by Mr T Rohlfs, organ builder in November 1988. The organ was installed with a dedication on the 6 December 1988.

SPORTS

Netball
The PIC Netball club originated from this parish in 1953 under Mama Tangimetua Teia's leadership, to provide for the spiritual and recreational needs of its growing population. In the early years, the club patron was usually the minister's wife or a Church member which changed as the sport has evolved from a social gathering, to a higher professional level. More on the PIC Netball Club and other sporting teams and achievements at Sports & Rec.

Cricket
The cricket team was established by Rev. Tariu Teaia in 1953, as a way of bringing together the young men on a social level which consisted mainly of Cook Islanders' with few Samoans. Like the netball, the cricket team was well managed by the Church members themselves. With the passing away of Rev. Teaia, Rev. Nokise continued to maintain its reputation.

CONCLUSION
From its humble beginnings of a few Pacific Island families and Scholarship students in the 1950's, the Pacific Islanders' Presbyterian Church Newtown has paved the way for Pacific Island Churches in Porirua, Petone and other major centres in New Zealand to flourish in God's grace.

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