A brief history of our 70 years
a speech by former session clerk Mosotele Seta Efaraimo at the 70th celebrations
I will quote some of the words as written by Rev Leuatea Sio in his
summing of the first 50 years or the Golden Jubilee of PIPC Newton.
- The first ten decades was the establishment of our home. The
Pasifika home that is PIC Newton - The second decade saw the proliferation of new Churches
- The third decade saw the establishment of the new relationship
with the Presbyterian Church. - The fourth decade saw the investment and building up of assets
- The fifth decade is the end of the ‘old guard’ and beginning of a
new regime
1948 – Rev Challis & Rev Tariu Teaia were inducted to PICC (Pacific
Island Congregational Church) Newton
Pacific Island Services started here in Newton on Sunday evenings.
Niueans @ 6pm and Cook Islanders @ 7pm.
1950 – All the groups were now catered for. Services for Niue, Cook
Island and Samoa.
The Sunday school also started
1954 – Rev Challis establishes the 20 th Co. Boys Brigade at Newton.
Some of the original leaders, Revs. Mave, Elisi and Aetiliai Meleisea.
1956 – Rev Leuatea Sio was called to serve in PICC Newton.
By now the Sunday School numbers was 60. It was also the year
Sunday School sat for the first time the Sunday Schoo Union Exams.
1959 – The Girls brigade started at PICC Newton
1961 – Plans were now underway for the building of a new Church
1962 – Saw the opening of the new Church. At the same time PICC
Newton took our first place for Grade 2 in the Sunday School Union
Exam.
1963 – Rev Elisi Sionetali was called to PICC Newton.
1966 – Rev Mave was called to PICC Newton
1970 – Saw the merger with Presbyterian Church Aotearoa NZ. The
Church now became PIPC (Pacific Island Presbyterian Church)
Saw the establishment of the English Speaking Group within the
Church.
1978 –
- Rev Talagi was called to PIPC Newton
- Rev Bruce Hucker called to PIPC Newton
1979 – The Official Opening of the PIPC Hall Complex by Sir Robert
Muldoon
1972 – The Maori Hall was gifted to PIPC Newton by the Maori Synod
1982 – The Membership of PIPC Newton now stands at 700
1986 – Rev Tu’i Fatialofa ordained as the first female minister.
Inducted in her role as assistant minister to PIPC Newton.
1987 – The purchase of the PIPC Camp site in Huia
1993 –
- Rev Abera is called to Newton
- Establishment of the Leuina A’oga Amata
1998 –
- Rev Manatoa is called to PIPC Newton
- Rev Tafatolu is called to PIPC Newton
2005 – Rev Enere Wichman called to Newton
2008 – Rev Ma’afala Koko called to Newton
2018 –We turned 70
- This is Rev Ma’afala Koko’s 10 th year
- Rev Kontiki Makani’s 16 th year
- Rev Henry’ Wichmans’s 13 th year.
Before conclusion,
I would like to acknowledge the work of Melani Anae, in her work Fofoa-I-vao-ese, and her research into the history of PIC Newton. Also the assistance from the current Team ministry of PIC Newton, Rev Kontiki Makani (Niue), Papa Rev Enere Wichman (Cook Island), Toeaina Rev Ma’afala Koko (Samoa).
In conclusion then,
- the 6th decade has seen the emergence of modern churches,
embracing new media, technology, and a lot more inclusive type of
worship. Unfortunately, some of our younger generation see this as
more relevant and appealing. - The 7th decade is awareness, awareness of issues and commonalities
of threats facing not only us here at Newton, but in our wider Church
communities. In this age of social media and fast-moving technology,
we have more choices than ever before. - My prediction for the 8 th decade, it will be a decade of rebuilding, our
forefathers built it, we reached the peak, we came down the slope, we can climb back up again.
I will leave you with remarks from the late Rev Leuatea Sio,
“The flame has been lit. The onus is on us the keepers to keep it
Rev Leuatea Sio
shining ever bright so that we can look from anywhere, anytime,
and proclaim with pride, that we are the ‘children of PIC Newton”
