Rev Dr Ilaitia Sevati Tuwere was born on 8 March 1940 to Jese Ulacake and Ekari Balenamatau in the village of Bagata, Wailevu, Fiji. As is customary he was named after elders of his village; a father and a son who served as Catechists. He was the youngest of four siblings and was raised by his mother and his maternal uncles in her village of Vunivesi, Wailevu, Fiji.

Ilaitia was an outstanding student from his early primary school days. His later accomplishments included attaining his Diploma of Theology, Bachelor of Divinity, Masters of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. In 1970 he married Nina Taiviu Waqavakatoga and they had three children; Josua Wainigasau, Pita Vakarewakinamara and Lois Ciriyawa. 

He taught at the Fiji Methodist Theological College, Davuilevu, and was principal from 1974 to 1975. He took up the post of being Principal of Pacific Theological College (PTC) in 1981. He was tasked with creating the Masters of Theology course at PTC which was first offered in 1987. The first graduates graduated in 1988. Many students he taught throughout his years at Davuilevu and PTC became ministers and church leaders in Fiji and the Pacific.

Rev Tuwere was voted and appointed to be the President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma for the years of 1996 to 1998. He was then appointed to be the General Secretary of the Methodist Church. While serving as General Secretary a Macedonian call came through the invitation to join as a Lecturer of Systematic Theology at the School of Theology, Auckland University based at St John’s College of the Diocese of Polynesia, Remuera.

With the facilitation of the Diocese of Polynesia Rev Tuwere moved from Fiji to New Zealand in the year 2000 working full time as lecturer at St John’s College. He was also the Chair-Person for the Fiji Bible Society for some years, giving input into the writing and publishing of a new modern version of the Fijian Bible. He was instrumental in helping to bring together the Fijian Methodist congregations in New Zealand to be a Synod in the New Zealand Methodist Church. This synod named ‘Wasewase ko Viti e Aotearoa’ is now a vibrant and growing church. Another major accomplishment was his leadership in helping to secure a church property in Auckland that the Fijian Methodist congregation could call their own.

In October of 2002, he lost his beloved wife Nina. He remarried Jese Lewabobo from Nadroga, Fiji in January 2004. For a number of years, he served as the Superintendent-Minister for the Wasewase ko Viti Synod in New Zealand, before giving the leadership to Rev Peni Tikoinaka. 

He has written books, speeches, papers, presentations and many sermons both in Fijian and in English. He was a leader in the ecumenical movement, a mentor and a Shepherd for ministers and lay pastors. Wherever he served he had a garden especially his ‘rourou’ patch (taro leaves) cultivated as a hobby and to supplement what he earned for the family. His other hobby was watching rugby and cricket. His biggest hero was his mother whose teaching and example he carried through all his life emulating that life of simplicity, discipline and service. 

When asked by the Na iLalakai newspaper what advice he would give to young people, he responded by quoting his mother’s advice to him; “Listen well. Be obedient. Don’t think that you know everything about what you should do. Be a learner till the day you die.”

References:

Tulevu , V. Interview 2022Tuwere, I. S. 2007. 

Personal notes for the “Na ILalakai” newspaper

Tuwere, I. S. Curriculum Vitae

Tuwere, J Tuwere-Senibiau, L, Tuwere L 2022 Family Recollections