E-NEWS FRIDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2025
Talofa lava. It’s been beautiful sunny days but still a mixture of wind and rain. On Tuesday early evening Snoopy and I had a pleasant walk and managed to get home before a sudden downpour came out of nowhere. It has been a full and meaningful week of community life at St Andrew’s with time spent with the Ministry of Pacific People’s down the road and with some members of the Queen Margaret College Board.
Celebrating Kezia’s Performance. As I signed off in last week’s E-News, I mentioned that I was heading out to watch young Kezia perform in the play Ophelia on Saturday evening. She is a vibrant and talented emerging artist in the acting arena, and it was great to see her on stage at the Little Theatre in Lower Hutt. My first time there. You can spot her in the photo—sitting on the right, wearing the blue cap and the red vest. Well done, Kezia! We wish you every blessing as you continue your journey in the performing arts.
Christening of Aiole Robinson. This Sunday we will be celebrating the christening of 21-month-old Aiole. Aiole and her parents Shauna Mcayley and Gareth Robinson will soon be returning to Northern Ireland in mid-December after eight years in Aotearoa, and we are glad to share this special moment them and with our St Andrew’s whānau before they go. Please come along, support the family, and join us as we witness and bless the christening of this young child.
St Andrew’s Engagement with the Dawn Raids Publication.
On Tuesday I met with the Ministry of Pacific Peoples as part of a steering committee working to secure an editor and publisher for an important new book. This publication will gather witness accounts, generational stories, art, and poetry from those affected by the 1970s dawn raids in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Although Pacific peoples were specifically targeted, many tangata whenua Māori were also swept up in these raids, as police often could or would not distinguish between Māori and Pacific people. While Pacific communities were painted as the main “overstayers,” historical records show that over half of those overstaying visas at the time were British citizens. Yet the Pacific families bore the brunt of the enforcement, trauma, and deportations.
This collection of stories seeks to ensure that these experiences are not lost to silence, but honoured and remembered. It is a privilege to contribute to this kaupapa on behalf of our St Andrew’s community. With the Ministry now based at Bowen House on Lambton Quay just a short walk from the church, we look forward to supporting the project as it develops, with publication anticipated toward the end of next year.
World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. This coming Monday, the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle will be featuring Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. Rev. Dr Helen Richmond—a former colleague of mine from our time working together in Birmingham will be leading the prayers for Australia. I have been invited to lead the prayers for Aotearoa New Zealand. The service will take place at 8.30 p.m. on Monday evening, aligning with the 8.30 a.m. gathering in Geneva, Switzerland. It is a privilege to join this global ecumenical prayer and solidarity.
Annual General Meeting. This Sunday After Church
A reminder that our Annual General Meeting will be held this Sunday straight after the service. Part of the agenda will include receiving and confirming nominations for two new Parish Council members: Ata Burr and Tania Penafiel . Short bios for each will be available on the day. I warmly encourage as many of you as possible to stay and participate as we reflect on the year that has passed and look ahead to the year before us.
Sunday’s Theme. Never tire of doing what is good. It comes from 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, where we are encouraged to keep busy doing what is good and to resist idleness. The text invites us to consider what faithful, meaningful action looks like in our lives today individually and collectively. My reflection is still a work in progress, and I look forward to seeing what inspiration emerges over the next few days.
In the meantime, I hope the sun keeps shining for us this weekend, and I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday. Ka kite anō. Fei
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/3cabc6d45b76/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10137485
