Bush Fire

Presbyterian Women Aotearoa NZ

August 2019

Hui Wairua Wahine

– Women of Faith

gatherings:

at Christ the King, Porirua on

Saturday, August 17 from 10am to

4pm. Dr Deborah Bower will be a

keynote presenter along with a

programme of workshops, and the

opportunity for networking and

fellowship.

Agnes Valasi is a talented artist and

so intelligent and humble.

She was the top student 100% at

Scripture Union exams for 2015-

2017....and the designated head girl

for Bishop Viard College in Porirua.

Thanks Agnes for this poster.

President Faaolataga (Ola) Leasi Porirua 021 083 70303 perfaaleasi@gmail.com

Administrator Sandra Waldrom PO Box 17427, Karori Wellington 6147 027 702 9386 pwanz2016@gmail.com

Human Rights Convenor Tausala Iosefa Palmerston

North 021 2080 857 tausala.iosefa@gmail.com

Missions Convenor Sally Russell Havelock North 021 129 9608 sallyrussell@xtra.co.nz

United Nations Convenors AnneMarie Tangney 021 069 6953 am.tangney@gmail.com Mavis Duncanson 022 028 7005 mavisj.duncanson@gmail.com Both Dunedin

This Issue

• Hui Wairua Wahine – Women of

Faith gatherings:

• Saturday, August 17 at Porirua

• at Te Maungarongo Marae, Ohope

with Te Aka Puaho

• Annual General Meeting 2019 in

Nelson

• White Camellia Awards

• Let’s Change Your Newsletter’s

Name…

• Membership

• PWANZ News in Bush Telegraph

• Cook Island Language Week

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/presbyterianwomenaotearoanewzealand/

at Te Maungarongo Marae with Te Aka Puaho All images by F Leasi

Te Maungarongo Ohope Marae – July 2019 “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose”

Romans 8:28. ‘Being there was everything’- It filled me with awe as I witnessed Women of Faith; Te Roopu

Wahine; Te Aka Puaho, PWANZ and NZMWF reconnecting in union, spiritually, culturally and colourfully.

I’ve been inspired by the capacity of a collaborative engagement of the delegates, in response to paki

waitara of Wahine Whakapono. This was history and we’ll endeavour our mission with the remaining stories,

until we return to Te Maungarongo one day. Faaolataga Leasi

Briefs from a few delegates: "This weekend was so special" Mavis

“I loved this gathering and meeting everyone. Thank you Ohope”; Tūrarii

“I’ve learned a lot from gatherings together in unity” Ta’i

“It’s beautiful it’s spiritual it’s so calm” Vaine & Winnie

“I thoroughly enjoyed the cross-cultural experience; I didn’t realise how much I had missed with such cross-

cultural experiences of the past until the weekend. Our Maori sisters were wonderful hosts. The Marae

experiences was totally new to Noleen who is South African and I wonder how many other South Africans

have never experienced Pacifica or Maori culture! Thank you so much for organising the event” Rae

“We are thankful for the opportunity to attend and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, met new friends, and

learned about manaakitanga. Thank you Ohope whanau. Interesting to get a glimpse of the history of

women's mission of Maori people with the overview on how PWANZ work. It was an awesome peaceful and

serene venue” Fu'a & Iunita

“The gathering was a starting point of coming together as women of God, to fellowship, rejuvenate physically

and spiritually through sharing faith journeys and stories to inspire and affirm us as women of God of TODAY

(2019). I enjoyed the fellowship with everyone, loved having our Mama’s and Tina’s from other PIPC

churches! Loved our wonderful hosts, Erana, Nyree and the team. Beautiful location with the beach and the

sunny weather” Sera

“I totally enjoyed the trip and the experience. We were treated with kindness, love, respect by the hospitality

of Ohope Host. The programme was well prepared, with the official Powhiri, Sunday Communion and

Poroporoake. Guest speakers did very well, the cultural items on Saturday night was fun, Ms Belford’s

singing was amazing. Wish to acknowledge Rev Pamela Tankersley, Rev Linda Hope and Rev. Tukua

Tuwairua for the service. Finally thank you to those who prepared the programme”. Italy

“A great Hui to reconnect and build capacity, for all Presbyterian women with our Kuia, brothers and sisters

of Te Aka Puaho. We’ve been able to honour Te Tiriti O Waitangi, to share what we had in our kete/basket

and filled them with spiritual learning, new knowledge of Te Aka Puaho, Te Maungarongo Marae, Te Reo

and Tikanga Maori. We’ve also been able to hear and shared our stories of others and being encouraged

by the aroha to sustain our work ahead of us as PWANZ within our own parishes and local communities”

Peseta

“Thank you for the invitation to join the PWANZ at Te Maungarongo Ohope Marae. I was grateful to meet

and hang out with old friends, create new friendships, (be given a lovely flax weaved flower by someone

who had never made one before) enjoy the wonderfully interactive Bible Study, celebrate different Pacifica

entertainment, go for a walk on the beach picking up seashells, talking and even praying in appreciation of

God as the sun's rays greeted a new morning. The Te Maungarongo hosts treated us like their own whanau

- we ate well, slept well and felt the Holy Spirit amongst us on this sacred ground in Ohope. Our final worship

service with communion was a fitting ending to a brief but beautiful weekend. All glory belongs to God!”

Rev Linda

“Loved the sharing of experiences in growing up in own churches, with parents, trials and tribulations. The

Communion service in the Marae on Sunday was unique. Women’s voice is always the first voice of the

Marae. I felt the presence of my father with me whilst driving up with my Mum, she felt at peace. Te

Maungarongo marae reminded her of her Atiu island. The humble hosts spoiled us. Meeting new friends

and we gained an insight of the history of the Te Maungarongo Marae” The Hoskings

Annual General Meeting 2019 Whakatu Presbyterian Church in Songer Street Stoke, Nelson will host PWANZ over the weekend of 13

to 15 September 2019.

Registrations are open @ $20 per attendee (email: pwanz2016@gmail.com)

Meet and Greet with a light meal from 4pm – 6pm on Friday night, followed by Devotions at 7pm.

Annual General Meeting 9.30am – 12pm on Saturday with an afternoon of workshops, followed by dinner

at the Stoke Methodist Hall.

The programme, and meeting papers will be available closer to the time, put the date in your diary, book

your travel and organise your accommodation.

Do you have names for the Remembrance Candle, remits, apologies for the AGM, Group news to include

in the PWANZ Annual Report 2019? Email: pwanz2016@gmail.com

Executive Portfolios - call for applicants to the election of Administrator / Mission Convenor /

Communications Convenor. Descriptions for these positions are available on request to

pwanz2016@gmail.com Sally Russell has expressed an interest in staying on the Executive as Mission

Convenor.

EVENTS organised by the UN Women's Empowerment (WEPs) committee for New Zealand

WHITE CAMELLIA AWARDS

September 17th 2019 At the Grand Hall, Parliament Buildings, Wellington hosted by The Honourable Julie Anne Genter,

Minister for Women. Registration is required by September 10th. Spaces are limited. RSVP to

admin@weps.org.nz Payment ($55.00 including GST) is to be deposited directly into the UN Women

Aotearoa NZ account 03 0518 0161116 001. Please ensure that you use your name as reference.

Have Your Say – Let’s Change Your Newsletter’s Name… BushFire has been the name of the monthly Presbyterian Women Aotearoa NZ newsletter for the last

four years and at the suggestion of our member Groups who think this may be insensitive with our rural

fires, the Executive is thinking of a name change.

What would be a snappy name encompassing who we are, a range of Presbyterian women, diverse in

age, culture and experiences? Suggestions to date are:

- BushFire - leave it as it is with no change

- Arise – Women of faith

- Wāhine Tahi

- Gleanings

Send your suggestions to pwanz2016@gmail.com by 1 September 2019 and we will vote at the AGM on

Saturday 14 September.

Presbyterian Women – Membership PWANZ needs your support and contributions to enable our administration and activities to continue over

the next twelve months. These funds expand the work we do – we send delegations to the UN. We are

frugal, however it all costs. We get no funds from PCANZ and ask you to support us. Join Presbyterian

Women: Following the recommendation at the AGM 2018, individual membership will increase to $20 per

annum from 1 July 2019. Membership includes:

• BushFire newsletter;

• a vote at the Annual General Meeting;

Direct Credit: ASB 12 3011 0117101 00

Name of Account: PWANZ

Reference: Your Name Code: Subs2019

PWANZ News in Bush Telegraph Kia ora! I loved watching the daily live broadcast of Pacific Games in Apia/Samoa. It brings a warmer spirit

against the winter atmosphere in my home of Porirua.

Recently I attended various occasions in Wellington. In April it was Business and Professional Women

New Zealand (BPWNZ) 55th national conference where I briefly introduced PWANZ and our missions

(nationally and globally). I was amazed to realise there’s an existing connection of church women and

women in business and the welfare community.

On 14 June was the HELP launch, enhancing women’s wellbeing in danger zones, which was hosted by

Dame Patsy Reddy, at Government House.

Later in June was the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles breakfast at Westpac, discussing how to

embed a gender-balanced approach in New Zealand workplaces. Monitoring, review and adjustment of

measurable targets were among the things discussed to help make gender equity a reality in Kiwi

workplaces. The event was collaboratively hosted by UN Women Aotearoa, the Human Rights

Commission, BPWNZ, Zonta International and others.

On 27 June, I was humbled to attend the Centenary of the Signing of the Treaty of Versailles and Youth

debate on NZ’s global role at the invitation of Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern. The event was

hosted by Ministry for Arts, Culture and Heritage and I was in awe of the insight, knowledge and powerful

opinions of young women, whose voices on global change were heard during the debate.

On 11 July, I attended a Fono/Uipa’anga for Pacific People’s Human Rights issues. The first-ever Pacific

Commissioner of a crown entity, Saunoamaalii Dr. Karanina Sumeo, Commissioner for Equal Employment

Opportunities was the guest speaker. Aiming to create an inclusive Pacific People’s human resources

strategy, identifying the role of the church in embracing HR issues with Pacific people; and considering the

rights of Pacific women and girls to be on the platform of elimination all sorts of violence against them

were among the topics discussed at the fono.

Ola Leasi

Cook Island Language Week