E-NEWS FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2026
Tena koutou, talofa lava. I wonder how many of you might be receiving a bouquet of flowers tomorrow for Valentine’s Day? It’s certainly been a long time since I’ve received one — twelve years, in fact, since my husband passed away. Twelve years of no roses on Valentine’s Day. And yet, there are many other blessings or metaphorical roses, if you like that arrive daily in this ministry, in the people I meet, and in the life we share together as a community. For those, I am deeply grateful.
Last week I took a few days of leave and travelled to Auckland for my uncle’s 80th birthday. It was a wonderful celebration, with some of his grandchildren travelling from across the Pacific Islands to be there. I was asked to offer the devotions and blessings for the day, and it was a real joy to be surrounded by family once again surrounded by great food, laughter, stories, and that familiar warmth that comes when people gather from near and far.
I was approached to do the evening devotions for 531PI radio station on Saturday night, and I sort of tried to say no in some ways mainly because I was on holiday. Because it was in the Samoan language it would take up my break time, holiday time in preparation. But the DJ leading the programme didn’t take no for an answer. She happened to be a relative at my uncle’s birthday, and so I, what’s the word, I accepted the invitation with great reluctance. Anyway, I spent some time on Saturday preparing for it. She said, we’ll ring you at 7:50 for the 8 o’clock devotions. 7:50, waiting, waiting. 7:59, I texted them to say, hey, what’s happening? And they texted back saying “oh, sorry, it’s tomorrow”. Obviously, they thought Waitangi Day was a Saturday, and the Saturday was a Sunday. I told her I was not available on Sunday night and she she says, “oh look, I’ll get someone to ring you and you can still record it. And then hung up. But I sat there and I said some not very nice words. I was quite angry and annoyed about the inconvenience. So, I texted her back and I said, “You know what? I gave up my family time, my last night in Auckland, to do this for you. No, sorry, I’m not going to record it. And I think you’d better find somebody else for tomorrow”. End of conversation. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but other people’s disorganisation does not need to become our disorganisation. You know, when people get things wrong and muddled, and you know, the domino effect it has on the person that it effects directly is really disruptive, and I have zero tolerance for people who get things wrong because they are not organised. That’s my moan for the day.
While I was away, my sincere thanks to Jim Cunningham for leading Margaret Pannett’s funeral last Saturday, and to all in the congregation who supported Iona and Ruth as they farewelled their mother. These are tender and sacred moments in the life of a church, and I am deeply appreciative of the care and love shown by so many.
And what a fantastic fundraising concert we had last Sunday with Joshua Han. His playing was simply extraordinary at times it felt as though his fingers were skating lightly across the keys, music flowing with such ease and beauty that the piano itself seemed to come alive. A heartfelt thank-you to Lynne, Richard, Jack, and all who worked behind the scenes to organise this superb afternoon. Events like this don’t just happen; they are the result of generous volunteers, careful planning, and a shared love of music and community.
You wouldn’t believe it, after the concert I spent Monday and Tuesday in bed with a rather determined flu. I’d had hay fever throughout my time in Auckland, and by the time I got back to Wellington it had morphed into something more substantial. I’m still not quite 100%, but slowly getting there.
Even so, on Wednesday morning I made my way to Parliament to join the Pacific Justice march, where a petition of more than 50,000 signatures was presented to Winston Peters. The petition calls on the New Zealand Government to reconsider visa access for Pacific Island peoples — particularly at times of family bereavement and urgent need. For many of our Pacific neighbours, the process of obtaining a visa can be long, stressful, and uncertain, even when families are trying to gather at the most critical moments. Over 2 billion people from 60 countries outside of the Pacific have easy visa access into Aotearoa, yet the 16 million people of the Pacific Island nations cannot get a visitor’s visa on arrival. It’s just a tedious, long, stressful process. And even the New Zealand office in Samoa would open its doors for Samoan people to come in and apply for a visa for one hour a week. Not good. Anyway, let’s see what will happen with the petition that we sent. Please keep this kaupapa in your thoughts and prayers.
Last week also held Waitangi Day. However you marked it this year — whether through gatherings, reflection, or quiet remembrance — it remains a time to consider what it means to live well together in this land, to honour the promises made, and to continue the work of partnership and justice in our own small corners of Aotearoa.
This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday and the theme is mountaintop experiences. The readings come from Exodus where Moses goes up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments and also Jesus and a couple of disciples go up to the mountain and Jesus becomes transfigured. So that’s our theme and I look forward to seeing those of you who are able there. For those of you who are not able to be there in person, please join my Facebook livestream on Sunday. Wherever you find yourself this Valentine’s Day and in the days ahead, may you recognise the roses — literal or metaphorical — that come your way. And may we continue to be roses for one another: in kindness, in music, in advocacy, in prayer, and in the simple acts of care that sustain our life together. Noho ora mai, Fei
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/98cb3ba46ae5/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10139000
