The Presbyterian Church is among those mourning the death of the Rev Leuatea Sio, a highly esteemed and respected Presbyterian Church leader.
Known as the father of Pacific communities for his strong leadership within the Pacific Island community, Rev Sio passed away on Saturday 8 October, in his 80th year.
Mr Sio entered the ministry of the Congregational Union in 1957 and spent 35 years serving as the parish minister of what is now known as the Pacific Islanders’ Presbyterian Church Newton, Auckland, retiring in 1992.
He was instrumental in encouraging all the Pacific Island congregations of the Congregational Union to join the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand in 1969.
“He was a faithful pastor, a forceful advocate, and a visionary encourager of Pacific Island people and interests. His work supporting young people and bringing them together through art, sports, education and social services – underpinned by faith – was enormous,” says the Rt Rev Garry Marquand, Moderator of the General Assembly.
Mr Marquand praised Mr Sio’s contribution to the life and mission of the Presbyterian church and highlighted his work laying the foundations of Pacific Island congregations and ministry in New Zealand.
“He was an outstanding leader,” says Mr Marquand.
Those in the Pacific Islanders’ synod of the Presbyterian church are also paying tribute to Mr Sio, whose efforts contributed to founding the synod.
Synod clerk, the Rev Tafatolu Filemoni says, “He paved the path for the movement of the Pacific Island church in New Zealand. It was his dream for the Pacific Island part of the Presbyterian church to have a recognised national body.”
Mr Filemoni added that Mr Sio’s ministry went beyond the church, and that the wider community also recognised his efforts. Last month Mr Sio was acknowledged by Auckland Mayor, Dick Hubbard as one of the city's unsung heros for his services to the Pacific community, and in 1999 he was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The last word goes to Mr Sio, who in a 2001 interview with Presbyterian magazine, sPanz, humbly reminded us that without God we are nothing: “Where our people have gone, God has travelled before them. Our faith is a mark of our Pacificness being a people of God with a mission serving others. Knowing God has given us grace and mercy through Jesus Christ on the cross.”
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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact Jose Reader on 021 353 020.