RIP: Paula Eroni Seruvatu Kotosoma Korocawiri Sotutu

16 April 1931 – 12 March 2022

Eulogies shared insights into the life of an enormously kind, talented and influential man. Paul was an enthusiastic Methodist who made a huge contribution to community and church in Fiji, the Pacific and around the Commonwealth.

Frank Leadley, former headmaster at Bay of Islands College and life-long friend, captured the essence of Paul in his eulogy; “Paul carried his qualities of hard work, honesty and respect for others into his working life both in New Zealand and overseas. He has been rightly recognised for his considerable contribution to his community in Fiji, and in several highly significant roles internationally, with the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations and the EEC-ACP Forum (European Economic Community-African Caribbean Pacific).

A Natural Leader

Paul’s parents were missionaries in the Solomon Islands, stationed on Bougainville in the small settlement of Skotolan. At the age of nine Paul was sent to boarding school in Koqekolo, Munda in the Solomon Islands. War was unfolding in the Pacific and as a 10-year old, he was separated from his family during an air raid, during which they were evacuated to Fiji. Paul was on an overnight expedition with Fijian soldiers. The planned 24-hour journey turned into a challenging 12-week stay in the bush, evading Japanese soldiers. His son Eroni said this experience undoubtedly shaped his father’s faith and future.

“He learned to trust in God in a deep and practical way as a young child. This set his course for life.”

Eroni always knew his father was an important man; he commanded respect, was a natural leader and he had a range and depth of talents and interests in many areas. As he grew older that impression changed. “I came to realise he was a great man, through being an extraordinary servant of others through a generous, selfless service. Deeply connected to his relational roots in gratitude, love and service, he was generous, forever selflessly sharing his gifts for the benefit of others.”

Wesleyan Traditions

The hospitality provided by the Sotutu family was legendary. As well as offering a home-away-from-home for students, and accommodation for the homeless and the displaced, shared meals were the norm. Eroni described how their home had “seemingly elastic walls”.

Josua Tuwere, a former student of Paul’s and close friend of the Sotutu family, delivered a warm and personal tribute on behalf of the Government of Fiji and the NZ High Commission. Josua’s father and Paul worked closely together in the leadership of the Methodist Church in Fiji from the mid to late 90s.

Josua said, “Paul was a passionate churchman and believed wholeheartedly in the biblical and Wesleyan traditions of service and visitation to the needy, the downtrodden, the fatherless, the abused and homeless”.

“Paul was very much a father-figure. He was my principal at Lelean Memorial School in 1989. We were part of the Wesley Butt Street Methodist Church in Suva for years. They (Margaret and Paul) mentored me and many young people in Sunday school, in leadership and pastoral care. Countless hours were spent at the Sotutu residence in Lami, in fellowship, whether it was bible study or singing, playing touch rugby outside.”

“If Uncle Paul’s life was a tapestry, the colours would be well-defined, attractive to the naked eye, even from a distance. That was the quality of life he shared with Aunty Margaret, and his immediate and extended family. Each strand in the tapestry told a story of life-long mentorship, payment of school fees, meals at the Sotutu residence, prison and hospital visits, selfless public service within Government, the Civil Service, the Church, the Vanua and most importantly family.”

Education and Influence

Paul moved to NZ to attend high school when he was awarded a scholarship for Wesley College. He subsequently attended Auckland Grammar School for his final year before enrolling at the University of Auckland and later the University of Canterbury. His original intention to study medicine changed following a prophetic meeting on a bus to Auckland with an elderly Christian woman who had been a missionary in Fiji. She encouraged him to consider a career in teaching as a way of influencing the lives and minds of people to become leaders. It was at Teachers College that he met his wife Margaret.

He qualified as a teacher with top qualifications from the University of Canterbury and Christchurch Teachers Training College. In the 1960s he taught at several schools in Fiji including Ratu Kadavulevu School, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Memorial School, Levuka Public School, and later Lelean Memorial School, influencing the lives of many students.

Josua said, “The students that passed through their (Paul and Margaret’s) classrooms now rank in the ‘who’s who’ of influence and service, not just in Fiji but around the Pacific. There are more than a few of their former students in New Zealand who will tell of the life-changing talk sessions with Paul that altered their paths for good, forever”.

“Paul always had time for people. No one was turned away from his office, his home, even when he was busy and was stopped on the street – he always had time for people.”

Garth Cant, a lay preacher who lives in Christchurch, studied with Paul. Garth says, “As a student in New Zealand, Paul had a big impact on the diversity of NZ Methodists from that era. He enriched the lives of the 1950s cohort of Bible Class members at Onehunga in Auckland, and Rugby Street in Christchurch. He brought fun, friendship and mischief. He deepened our enthusiasm for following Jesus”.

A Rich Life & Career

Josua summarised Paul’s impressive and diverse education and training that equipped him for a career that included top ranking posts in education, and subsequent senior roles in the Fiji public service, in Foreign Affairs and Fiji diplomatic posts abroad. He was also seconded by the Fiji government to various international organisations. As a consultant and international civil servant he worked tirelessly on behalf of the Fijian government in education, economic and social development and welfare.

“As a public servant, he was part of a cadre of Fijian professionals who were trained to run the Fijian public service and government following the departure of the British following independence in 1970.“

“In 1970 Paul obtained a Master’s in Education and an International Certificate in Education from Oxford University, United Kingdom. His thesis topic, ‘A foreign study project on the education system in Sweden’, spoke to a certain broadmindedness that would hold him in good stead during his diplomatic career. That broadmindedness translated into a love for food, hospitality and choral music. Man, could he sing! As a young Sunday school student, few things matched the experience of seeing Paul sing all the parts of a hymn, switching from bass to tenor to alto without effort. Even soprano was not beyond him. Without peer, he was in my mind, and to borrow a sports term, The Greatest of All Time when it came to choral music.“

Accomplished, Loved & Respected

Along with his musical capability, and many other extraordinary talents, as a young man, Paul was an accomplished athlete and sportsman. He was outstanding on the rugby field and in the boxing ring at school. He was an exceptional sprinter, and his ability as a cross country runner attracted the attention of renowned athletics coach Arthur Lydiard.

Frank Leadley shared a high school anecdote that affirmed his humility and his ability: “Paul was a very good athlete but rather shy, so I entered him in the school athletic sports in the 200m, 400m and Cross Country. He was a bit apprehensive about competing. “Don’t worry”, I said, “I’ll be your coach.” I had a rather unique coaching method. It consisted of me standing under a tree in the shade and bellowing at Paul to go faster. It seemed to work”.

Despite many offers to extend his sporting attributes, Paul opted to focus his energy on endeavours that he believed to be more central to God’s priorities for him, although he maintained a lifelong interest in following sports across all codes.

Graham Jackson, a friend for 73 years, reiterated the love Paul shared and respect that he commanded. “He was the most widely loved and respected human being I have ever known.”

Eroni said, ”My father lived to serve the ‘civic good’, the ‘public good’ in that tribe, village, province and country where God had placed him...and in whatever roles and other parts of the world to which he was moved under assignment as a Public Servant. His family were ’implicitly and explicitly regarded as being an extension of that vison and mission’ He was a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ, a man of forgiveness... respected and loved by people of all walks. In these last 3 years as that mind deteriorated...that body corroded...that voice faded away, what remained was... a man of prayer...a man of gratitude...a man of love”.

General Secretary of MCNZ, Rev Tara Tautari offered her condolences on behalf of MCNZ and highlighted Paul’s great legacy. “Paul exemplified the transforming love of Christ. His capacity to give love and receive love is a legacy that will be carried forward beyond these shores. Love begets love.”

In closing his eulogy to his friend of 81 years, Frank Leadley said, ”Paul was a wonderful character – he was sincere, hard-working, and charismatic. He had a strong faith and a deep and powerful religious ethic. He was respectful and respected. He was supportive, honest, and totally trustworthy, with a strong sense of humour, and a great giggle. He and Margaret have demonstrated these and other strong characteristics in the way they interact with each other and with others, and they have raised a family of which they can be very proud.

He will be greatly missed, but we can all be confident that he is with his God, and that he has left a legacy of which he, his family, his friends, and the wider community, can justifiably be very proud”.

St John's Hamilton