Samoan minister who led community through Covid-19 gets Queen's Service Medal

Friday, 4 June 2021

A church leader integral to the fight against Covid-19 in south Auckland has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for his 29 years of work in the Samoan community.

A church leader who rallied behind the Pasifika community during the Covid-19 outbreak in south Auckland has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal.

Reverend Victor Pouesi, the church minister for the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in Māngere East, was surprised to learn that he had been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

He’s helped shaped the lives of young Samoans through education since he moved to New Zealand from Samoa, with his family, in 2002.

But Pouesi said the national recognition also belongs to the pillars of support beside him, including his wife Salome and children Siuila, Paluksantos and Taeaofouimageleisasa'e.

Reverend Victor Siaosi Pouesi’s years of work in the Samoan community in Auckland has been nationally recognised.

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“The Samoan term for church minister is ‘Faifeau’ meaning ‘doing chores’, so we are here expecting to serve our people,” he said.

“When we moved to New Zealand, we had no understanding whatsoever of this country, but then we knew that God would always provide people to help us and work collaboratively with.”

Pouesi with his family. He is flanked by daughter Siuila and wife Salome, while his sons Paluksantos and Taeaofouimageleisasa'e are behind him.

In 2008, Pouesi set up a homework centre in the church hall. It was supported by the University of Otago with scholarship opportunities for year 12 and 13 students.

He also initiated a playgroup in the church hall to help families who could not afford the local preschools.

The Taeaofou i Puaseisei Playgroup, a bilingual Samoan centre, was established in 2006 and has since grown into two purpose-built licensed buildings.

They now help provide opportunities for children to embrace their Samoan culture and heritage, while providing local employment opportunities.

For 12 years, Pouesi also coordinated the ’13 Days of Christmas’ event, a programme of nightly performances by church and choir groups, and also hosted an Institutional and Careers Expo at the church in 2019.

“We lead these young people so they themselves can be leaders and education is a huge part of that. We know that that will open opportunities for them,” he said.

“Our hope is that through this, it will open opportunities for their own families. It’s a great feeling to see them go on and buy cars and houses. You feel a sense of pride because it’s why we do what we do.”

Pouesi also helped steer his community through a Covid outbreak, after members of his congregation tested positive for the virus.

It was one of the most challenging times he’s faced as a leader, he said.

“We’ve seen a lot of confusion going on, and especially when we had a positive case in our community, and we put up our hand to ask for help.

“We didn’t realise how much help there was out there and as leaders we shouldn’t be afraid to do this.

“We need to know where these services are so our people can get access, and education is a part of that.”