Tongan religious leaders of different faiths unite to “advance” their community in New Zealand

ʻOku ʻi he konga taupotu taha ki lalo ʻo e pēsí ni ha fakamatala faka-Tonga ki he ongoongo ko ʻení

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Tongan religious leaders of different faiths in Auckland have joined hands to help resolve social and economic challenges facing Tongan community in New Zealand.

Fifteen religious leaders made the move for the first time in the 50-year history of Tongan migration to New Zealand.

“We have been in operation for over a year now, but we have just got our network established legally,” says Chairperson Rev Tevita Finau.

“Tongans face many socio-economic challenges but we have come together to counter these issues and help our people take ownership and leadership of their future,” says Secretary Sione Tu’itahi, representative of the Baha’i Faith to the network.

“We will collaborate with Tongan leaders in other fields such education, health, work and income in order to navigate pathways forward,” the secretary adds. “We acknowledge the challenges, but we focus on the strengths and aspirations of our people.”

Some 15 denominations and faiths are members. They include the: Tongan parish of the Methodist Church, The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, The Tongan Catholic Community, The Seventh Day Adventist, The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints, Siasi ‘o Tonga Tau’ataina, Siasi Fakatahataha ‘a e Kakai Tonga, Siasi ‘o Tonga, Siasi Konisitutone Tau’ataina ‘o Tonga ‘i Nu’usila, The Assemblies of God, The Anglican Church, Tongan Wesleyan Church of New Zealand (Upper Room Centre),  the Baha’i Faith, Amatakiloa Gospel Church, Blessed Hope Christian Centre, and the Pacific Island Evangelical & Missionary Network.

“Tongan denominations or faith-based organisations that are yet to be members are warmly welcome to join. Our aim is to collaborate for our collective good and wellbeing,” the secretary says.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Fokotu’u Tākanga Kau Taki Lotu Tonga ‘I Nu’usila

    Koe’uhi ke nau fetakinima ‘o langa hake ‘a e mo’ui fakalukufua ‘a e kakai Tonga, kuo fokotu’u ai ‘e he kau taki lotu ‘e toko 15 ‘a e ‘uluaki tākanga ‘a e kau taki lotu ‘i he ta’u ‘e 50 ‘o e hiki fonua ‘a e kāinga Tonga ki Nu’usila.

    “Kuo ta’u taha ‘emau fai fatongia, ka kuo toki lava eni hono lesisita ‘emau konisitutone,” ko e fakamatala ia ‘a e Sea e tākanga ko Faifekau Tevita Finau, pea ko e Sea ‘o e Vahefonua Tonga, Siasi Metotisi ‘o Nu’usila.

    “Neongo ‘a e matu’aki vivili e ngaahi faingata’a lalahi ‘oku fehangahangai mo e kakai Tonga he ngaahi tapa mahu’inga e nofo hangē ako, mo’ui lelei, ma’u ngāue mo e nofo’anga, ‘oku taumu’a e tākanga ke tokoni ki he kakai Tonga ‘aki hono ‘ave honau le’o ki he Pule’anga,” ko e fakamatala ia ‘a e Sekelitali ko Sione Tu’itahi, ko e Fakafofonga ‘o e Kāingalotu ‘o e Tui Baha’i ‘i Nu’usila.

    “‘Ikai ko ia pe ka ke mau fetokoni’aki mo e kau Tonga ‘oku taki he ngaahi mala’e hangē ko e ako, mo’ui lelei mo e ma’u ngāue, ke fatu e ngaahi kaveinga mo e founga ngāue fakataha mo hotau kāinga,” ko e fakamatala ia ‘a e sekelitali.

    ‘Oku fakafofonga’i he tākanga ‘a e ngaahi siasi pe tui ‘e 15. ‘Oku kau ai e Vahefonua Tonga ‘o e Siasi Metotisi ‘o Nu’usila, Siasi Uesiliana Tau’ataina ‘o Tonga, Kominio ‘o e Kaingalotu Tonga ‘o e Siasi Katolika, Siasi ‘o Tonga Tau’ataina, Siasi Fakatahataha ‘a e Kakai Tonga, Siasi ‘o Tonga, Siasi Konisitutone Tau’ataina ‘o Tonga ‘i Nu’usila, Siasi ‘o Sisu Kalaisi mo e Kau Ma’oni’oni ‘o e Ngaahi ‘Aho ki Mui ni (Mamonga), Siasi ‘Ahofitu, Siasi Penitekosi, Siasi ‘Ingilani, Tongan Wesleyan Church of New Zealand (Upper Room Centre), Lotu Baha’i, Amatakiloa Gospel Church, Blessed Hope Christian Centre, mo e Pacific Island Evangelical & Missionary Network.

    Na’e pehē ‘e he Sekelitali ‘oku ‘atā pē ki ha siasi ‘o e kakai Tonga ‘oku te’eki mēmipa ke kau mai ki he tākanga, he ko e kaveinga ke ngāue fakataha ki he lelei ‘a e Tonga kotoa.