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Wellington Welcomes Cook Islands Minister (English translation)

Kia oraana i te aroa maata o to tatou metua Atua, kotou katoatoa, kia oraana rava. Ko au teia ko Orometua Ngatokotoru Ine, te akaaravei atu nei ia kotou, kia tauturu mai te Atua ia tatou katoatoa.

Cook Island Presbyterians of the Wellington region have been crying out for a minister of their own language and culture for the last fourteen years.

The above statement is the greeting of the newly-arrived Rev Toko Ine to the delighted Cook Island parishioners of the three parishes of PIC Newtown, PIC Porirua, and St David's Multicultural Parish, Petone.

"Its really wonderful to have Toko," says Cook Island elder David Isaia. "The older folks will like to hear someone preaching in their own language, and the younger ones, who have been missing out, will have a chance to learn."

Rev. Ine was born in Rarotonga but raised by his grandparents in the village of Pukapuka on a northern island. Rich in the language and traditions of his people, who are members of the Cook Island Christian church, Rev. Ine came to Aotearoa New Zealand at the age of 17.

"I had no idea what I was going to do except the teaching of my father that he would love one of his children to become a minister," says Rev Ine. He studied English language at a technical institute, then worked in a range of jobs including machine-operating, store-work, joinery and cabinet-making.

He was then called by God to attend Bible College in Auckland, attaining several papers, followed by a Diploma Licentiate in Theology from Knox College. In 1990 he was ordained as an un-stipend minister to work with a fellowship of Cook Island parishioners in the Mt Eden PIC.

"For the first three years we were on the dole, which was interesting!" says Rev Ine. In 1993 he was given a half-stipend and worked part-time elsewhere - eg as a community worker for the Mataariki Cook Islands Support Group.

Finally in 1996, with the Cook Island membership of the parish at about over 150 members, the Church was able to offer him a full stipend. He says that while it was hard to leave his position in Auckland, he also felt called to respond to the strong need of the Cook Island Presbyterians in Wellington.

Rev Ine will rotate around each of the three parishes, initially on a monthly basis. He will also run regular combined Cook Island services, and combined Bible Study and uopau or fellowship.

At a meeting with elders and youth from the three parishes this week, goals set included supporting lay preaching in the Cook Islands language, and encouraging youth activities.