THE WASEWASE KO VITI KEI ROTUMA CELEBRATE A MILESTONE AT NORTHLAND.

A river town, renowned for its historical significance to Te Hahi Weteriana o Aotearoa, Kaeo was where the first Wesleyan Mission station was established by Samuel Leigh and William White in 1823. They arrived by ship at Whangaroa, and travelled on a smaller boat up the Kaeo River as there were hardly any tracks on land and they were also mindful of the consequences on trampling on the land. They built a settlement that was later raided by warriors of Ngapuhi Chief Hongi Hika. The region is now a farming and fruit growing district. The mission was moved to Mangungu and Hokianga in 1828.

Last year Wasewase launched a campaign realising our Vision and Mission. Our 3 Year Strategic Plans 2022-2024. VISION - Mai na Bilibili kina Drua ni Lakoyani vou {From a temporary drifting raft to a Double Haul Canoe}. MISSION - Same 137:4 ‘EDA NA SERETAKA VAKACAVA NA SERE I JIOVA ENA NODRA VANUA NA KAI TANI?’ {How can we sing the Lord's Song in a Foreign Land}. From a raft to double canoe as our numbers congregation and Parishes started to grow.

We the Wasewase ko Viti kei Rotuma are grateful to the Northland Synod for their gift of a church building in the centre of the township of Kaeo. The Wasewase decided to have our first worship with the congregation from Auckland’s Meadowland Fijian, Kaitaia, Kerikeri and Whangarei on 25 June. About 120 people gathered to worship in this Church celebrating Holy Communion in language of indigenous Fijian.

Thee first Fijian Hymn, “Vei Jiova na Turaga” FHB 7 (MHB 12 “Praise your soul the King of Heaven”) echoed against the walls of the building and nearby surrounding. Tears flowed as we realised that a language from small island nation could praise the Almighty name of God, in a sacred place like this. Our hearts were warmed, and the atmosphere was extolling as prayers and God’s words spoken, consolidated our thoughts and spirit in our traditional worship.

The Holy Communion with bread broken and cup raised, signified the first Fijian language communion. It reflects our sentiment and the Wasewase mission statement “How Can We Sing the Lord Song in a foreign place” Singing this song in our language.

After the worship several presbyters and lay people gathered at the memorial stones to pray for the everlasting blessing that continued to a source of blessing to the Wasewase.

We came back and had our traditional ceremony of welcome and thanksgiving for the provision provided. Our greatest traditional gift we can offer to anyone is whale tooth, signifying great importance and respect.

This was presented by Rev Alipate Livani the Superintendent of Wasewase Synod to the congregation of Te Tai Tokerau in view of the Church building to be used for God’s purpose and call the Fijian people of Tai Tokerau to come and gather there. It was accepted with the Te Tai Tokerau eldest, thanking the Wasewase for the significant gesture and gift for worship and fellowship.

As we shared meals and enjoyed each other’s company that evening, there was a sense of belonging to a place for us as Fijians in Aotearoa, is special as a place that our ancestors, the mission and the Nganpui clan once strived. We realised as Children of God we belong to a family, and we are one in faith and in people. Palms 127: 1a “If the Lord doesn’t build a house, the work of its builders is useless.”