Children from Fijian families living in Ruakaka, Whangarei, Dargaville, Kerikeri, Paihia, Kaikohe and Kaitaia came together to prepare and conduct a special service on Palm Sunday.

The Northland Fijian Community comprises Fijian families from Ruakaka, Whangarei, Dargaville, Kerikeri, Paihia, Kaikohe and Kaitaia. Although we belong to different denominations, every 2nd Sunday of the month we come together for a combined church service. The service usually starts at 3 pm, giving us time to attend our own denomination services in the morning. We are thankful to the St John Golden Church, Whangarei for accommodating us. The church service is led by different confederacies, namely Kubuna, Burebasaga and Tovata, representing provinces we come from in Fiji.

We celebrate Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day. In 2018, our Community President, Paula Tabakinabou decided we should celebrate Children's Sunday on Palm Sunday, following the Methodist Church of Fiji calendar. In 2020 we missed this annual event due to the lockdown.

This year the Palm Sunday Service involved 20 children aged from 5 to 17, including some young adults aged 18 to 23 who continue to be part of the celebration. Since 2018, Aliti Masitabua and I meet with the children involved on two Saturdays before Palm Sunday, helping them prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for the service that is conducted entirely by the children, in Fijian. After the service, they are treated to a special meal and cake by the adults of the community.