Wellington Wesley Methodist Fijian Congregation

The beginnings of the Wellington Wesley Methodist Fijian Congregation go back to 1977 when Penaia Samusamuvodre and Emori Sevusevudredre brought together a group of Fijian Christians to form the Fijian Chrisitan Fellowship meeting at the YMCA in Willis Street. Paula Sotutu, the Deputy Fiji High Commissioner, led the group to become part of the Wesley Church in Taranaki Street where monthly services began in the Hall early in 1978. Later these changed twice a month. When Paula and his family moved to London in 1979 Archie Seeto took over the leadership. It has since grown in numbers and is now a registered congregation under the New Zealand Methodist Conference. The congregation is served by Talatala Qase Rev. Peni Tikoinaka, Vakatawa (Catechist), Niko Bower, and lay preachers. Our church services are conducted in Fijian but tailored to cater the needs of other non-Fijian speacking attendees. It follows the procedures used by the Methodist Church of Fiji & Rotuma. On first Sundays, we join in the combined service of Holy Communion at 10am, and have a Confederacy service at 1:00pm. Other Sundays, services are held at 4pm, except on 3rd Sundays when we have a service at 9:30am in the New Hall to conclude our monthly congregational camp.

Chronology of the formation and Leadership-Wesley Fijian Congregation:
1978 - Fijian Congregation formed- Monthly Fijian Langiuge s began in the lounge
1982: Fijian Congregational committee formed(Jan 21)
1983: Arrival of Rev. Malakai Curulala and family(Self-supporting)
1986: Fijian Language services being held weekly
1987: End of Rev. Curulala's Term at Wesley
1988: Arrival of Rev. Jione Langi and his family
1993: End of Rev. Jione Langis term at Wesley
1994: Manasa Rayasi becomes Vakatawa (catechist
1999: Mr Mocevakaca becomes Vakatawa (catechist)
2000: Mr Niko Bower becomes Vakatawa (catechist)
2006: Rev. Peni Tikoinaka stationed Wesley for the Tabacakacaka ni Ceva kei Aotearoa-leader of the Wesley Fijian Congregation