Setefano Way
June 30, 2023
Community and aiga honour beloved reverend.
A new street in Point England has been named in honour of the late and much-loved Reverend Elder Leiite Setefano, who served the community for more than 46 years – 36 of those spent leading the PIPC Tāmaki Church.
Family, friends, Auckland City councillors, Local Board representatives and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of Leiite Setefano Way, led by close friend and Reverend Elama Maea, six years to the day after the Reverend’s passing.
The day was made extra special as it was also the birthday of Reverend Setefano’s wife, Lealofisa Setefano, who beamed with pride surrounded by her aiga (family) and loved ones.
Afoa Tevita Malolo of TRC, Councillor Josephine Bartley, Nicolas Giraldo from Housing Foundation and Adam Johnstone from Kāinga Ora shared touching words on the significance of the occasion and spoke of their own memories and interactions with the late Reverend.
The Setefano aiga were grateful for all the love and support from the community and shared a heartfelt message.
The Setefano aiga were grateful for all the love and support from the community and shared a heartfelt message.
“Viia le Atua – To God be all glory, honour and praise! It was a very proud moment to see the road sign being unveiled and the road blessed by Rev. Elama Maea, not only for our mother and the children, but also a proud moment for ouraiga potopoto (extended
family), our church family (Tāmaki Pacific Islanders’ Presbyterian Church) and the Glen Innes community.”
“On behalf of our mother Lealofisa and our Setefano aiga, we express our gratitude and thanks to Shelley Katae and the team at TRC for all your kindness, aroha and support provided to our family. The contribution made the day and occasion both special and memorable.”
“The ultimate blessing will be the people that have come to know our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ through our father’s Ministry.”
Rev Setefano was named a recipient of the Samoa College Old Pupils Association (S.C.O.P.A) New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to religion in New Zealand and awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for Community Service (QSM).
He leaves behind a wonderful legacy and will forever be remembered for his love for the people of Tāmaki and his decades of service to the community.
