Fr Maliu-mo-e-Ao Tofu ‘Otutaha
Parish Administrator
Do not be afraid to be the Saints of the Twenty-first Century. (St John Paul II)
You might be having a difficulty in trying to pronounce my name, if you do, DO NOT WORRY about it. I am Tongan and came to New Zealand in 1993, attended Dannevirke High School until 1995.
My journey to the priesthood started in 1999 in Tonga and later at the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, Fiji in 2000 to 2005. Then in 2007, I joined the Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland. I was ordained by Bishop Patrick Dunn in 2009 on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In 2010, my first appointment was the assistant priest to Fr Peter Murphy at the St Mary’s Parish, followed by the appointment to work with Monsignor Raymond Green in the same year. Then work with Fr Terry Montgomery at The Our Lady Star of the Sea in Howick for two years. In 2013, I was appointed to be the Chaplain of Middlemore Hospital and the following year worked with Fr Craig Dunford at St Mary’s Northcote.
Somehow, I was called to return again to Papakura. Looking back at my faith journey I started off with St. Mary at Papakura as a Catholic priest and my calling to return in 2015 to 2017 is like I have just completed the first chapter of my life as a new born priest.
On the blank pages of our new journey together here in Mid-North, I am delighted to be working among the diversity of faith and the unity of love in Christ. Remember: Do not be afraid.
Blessings