Labour’s Pacific Island Affairs spokesperson and MP for Mangere, Su’a William Sio, has passed his sincere sympathies to the Samoan Assemblies of God congregations, especially the Samoan communities in New Zealand, following the passing of Dr Samani Pulepule.
“This is a very difficult time for Dr Samani Pulepule’s family who only three days ago laid to rest his wife Sapapali’i Samani Pulepule.”
Dr Samani Pulepule (born 13 October 1923) has been a Samoan minister since the early 1950s. Since the late 1960s he led the Samoan Assemblies of God in New Zealand until retiring from his posts in 2011.
“In 2006, he was elected as Chairman of the Samoan Assemblies of God Worldwide which represents 530 churches, with over 300 credential ministers, and more than 10,000 lay preachers.
It was his vision that ensured that in 1992 the Samoan Assemblies of God in New Zealand established a Convention Community Centre with seating up to 4000 in Mangere which is one of the busiest centres for worship, education and a variety of community activities.
“I think people will remember Dr Samani Pulepule most as a man of faith, a genuinely good man who contributed so much to his community,” Su’a William Sio said.
“Unlike other evangelical Samoan groups, the Samoan Assemblies of God rejected many traditional Samoan cultural practices that placed a burden on families.
“That was thanks to the stewardship and leadership of Dr Samani Pulepule who put families first.
“His peers from the world over will gather in Mangere to pay their final condolences and respects to a great man who deserves his rest,” Su’a William Sio said.
