“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity”. 1Timothy4:12

Warm Pacific greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. First and foremost, we would like to give the honour and glory to God for his love and guidance upon our Itumalo through the youth activities we have had throughout the year. It was bittersweet we got to fellowship together with our tupulaga face-to-face. Due to Covid-19 restrictions over the last two years, many of our fellowships were virtual, and it just was not the same. 

Tupulaga is made up of six youth groups:

• Birkenhead Methodist (Siona) Youth Leaders: Suzette Ioapo and Taua Malaeulu
• Henderson Methodist (Ta’iala) Youth Leaders: Suvania Mann-Tufuga and Taufi Afatia
• Oratia Methodist Youth Leaders: Tonu Auva’a and Kosema Fuiono
• Panmure Methodist Youth Leaders: Futi Togafau, Juesha Salevao and Mercy Taii Tia
• Ponsonby Methodist (Taeaomua) Youth leaders: Tauvaga Galuvao, Lesina Ta’ala and Tasi Inu
• Waterview Methodist (Vaimoanino) Youth Leaders: Shona Feagaimali’I, Jacinta Faitoto’a and Henry Faitoto’a

This year we started off with an annual youth programme called “Trading Leaders”. Leaders are given a task to run a programme for a youth group other than their own. The point of this programme is to see how other youth groups and youth leaders operate. This is also where we as a tupulaga learn and can maybe teach each other. This programme has been ongoing and successful in our Itumalo. As leaders it is important for our tupulaga to fellowship together and empower each other. We encourage each leader to share their knowledge with other youth members because we truly believe that leaders do not create followers, but create leaders. 

“RISE UP AND DO IT” Ezra 10:4 “Rise up; this matter in in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it”.

On Sunday 28 August, Itumalo Aukilani held a Youth Rally at Kelston Girls’ College, West Auckland. Our annual District Youth Rally was hosted by the Tupulaga Henderson Methodist Church – Ta’iala. Our theme for this year was “RISE UP AND DO IT” supported by the scripture Ezra 10:4 “Rise up; this matter in in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it”. 

This scripture and theme encouraged youth to step up to any calling they get whether it was within family, church or work. Youth these days have so much talent but tend to shy away from callings as they feel they are unworthy. It was a good reminder for our tupulaga about stepping up and the beautiful evening included awesome performances from all six youth groups. Our amazing Ta’iala tupulaga led the night with Praise and Worship, setting the mood and filling the atmosphere with the Holy Spirit. Each youth group delivered pumping songs, heartfelt skits and beautiful dancing. Groups went all out, showcasing their interpretation of the theme through their amazing talent. Praise God always for the outstanding talent he has blessed each and every one of the youth groups.

We were honoured to have le Afioga ia Fa’anānā Efeso Collins come and share a bit about his life journey. Born and bred in Ōtara South Auckland, Efeso was the youngest of six and the first in his family to attend and graduate from university. He used our theme “Rise up and just do it” to talk about the adversity he faced as a brown boy growing up in a neighbourhood that is usually deemed as “The hood” and the difficulty he is currently facing as he is running for the Auckland Mayoralty. 

He spoke of his faith and the love he has for his community and how his passion turned from being a university lecturer in Education and Youth Development, and owning businesses, to representing Aucklanders as a local board chairperson and city councillor. 

We thank Efeso for his lively humour and for being so involved with our community, especially as a voice for our pacific people. We wish him nothing but the best with the up-and-coming elections as he runs for Mayor of Auckland #FORTHEPEOPLE. 

We were also graced by half of our National Youth Liaison Officer, the wonderful and beautiful Miss Sina Pupulu all the way from Wellington. Sina talked about the obstacles that life sometimes throws our way. She shared a huge part of her heart that night on our stage and reduced us all to tears. She showed that no set back is bigger than a comeback. We are so proud of Sina and can’t wait to see what God has in store for her. Aukilani Itumalo thank Sina for her message of hope and for reminding tupulaga to never lose sight of God. To rise and do anything, God’s presence should be intertwined in all that we do. Our tupulaga were truly grateful for the two guest speakers and their words of encouragement. We pray that God continues to be the Pilot of their journeys ahead. We acknowledge the leaders of each youth group for the hard work they do within their groups. 

We acknowledge our Tausi Itumalo Rev Falaniko Mann-Taito for the ongoing support and the love. We also acknowledge our Sea Rev Paulo Ieli for his words of encouragement that keep our tupulaga pushing and rising, not just within our Itumalo but also our Sinoti Samoa. We also acknowledge our convenor Rev Fatu who has been by our side throughout our role and for his on-going support alongside the Ta’ita’I within our Itumalo. 

As current leaders of the Tupulaga Itumalo Aukilani, we would like to encourage our young future leaders of the Methodist Church in NZ to step up and do it. We have been in that position where we felt like we were not worthy enough to be leaders. But once in the leadership role, we found our inner leadership skills where we were able to lead a youth group and create future leaders. God does not call the equipped but equips the called. Along the way within your calling, God will provide you with what you need. Let us all rise and do it for our church and most importantly for God. Lead with God, rise with God and just do it with God. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your understandings”- Proverbs 3:5

Fa’aaloalo lava, fa’afetai