Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio said Pasifika churches were key to helping provide support, confidence, strength and resilience. Photo / NZME
Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio said Pasifika churches were key to helping provide support, confidence, strength and resilience. Photo / NZME
* Two previous versions of this online article incorrectly stated that funding had been allocated to the Hastings Samoan Assembly of God. The church did not apply for Provincial Growth Fund money, and did not receive it. Hawke's Bay Today apologises to the Hastings Samoan Assembly of God for theerrors.
Two Pasifika churches in Hawke's Bay have been allocated $500,000 of Government funding for improvements, including a new community hall for one.
The churches are among 27 around the country to have been granted money out of the Provincial Growth Fund as part of the Government's Covid response and recovery plan.
The Napier & Hastings Samoan Assembly of God Community, which operates Kings House Church in Maraenui, will receive $402,373.
The Hastings Samoan Parish of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, on the corner of Heretaunga and Hastings Sts, will get $124,000.
Fa'afuata said the project will create 44 jobs, crucial labour work in a community that has seen many people lose their jobs through Covid.
"There are quite a number of families that are finding it hard to make ends meet," he said.
The funding will also go towards repainting the church ceiling.
As part of the announcement for the nationwide funding, Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio said Pasifika churches were key to helping provide support, confidence, strength and resilience for Pacific communities in need through Covid-19.
"Pacific peoples in the regions value their churches and the significant role they play in their local communities," he said.
