Tears shed as Free Church of Tonga gets a massive facelift in Levin

Otaki MP Terisa Ngobi, Panmure-Otahuhu MP Jenny Salesa and Labour MP Anahila Kanongataá-Suisuiki joined in the congregation, along with site foreman Gareth Roberts.

Tears flowed as members of the Free Church of Tonga in Levin saw the nearly complete renovations of their church for the first time this week.

For many of the Tongan community, it was the first time they had seen the improvements, made possible with a $461,172 grant from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund last year.

For years the church on Bruce Rd was little more than a shed.

Free Church of Tonga Fale Lotu Connections Project representative Rob Fifita-Tovo said church members were "over the moon" about the renovations.

"The church is the highest priority for the people of Tonga and is a place where members spend a lot of time together, and having the church and hall renovated means we'll have modern, warm facilities that will provide more options for hosting events and other congregations," he said.

Ōtaki MP Terisa Ngobi, Panmure-Otahuhu MP Jenny Salesa and Labour MP Anahila Kanongataá-Suisuiki joined in the congregation.

Ngobi said meeting at church was central to the wellbeing of many Pasifika people and that relationship contributed to positive social outcomes.

It was vital that facilities were warm and healthy, she said.

"Seeing the reaction of some of the Tongan people who have lived here for almost 50 years...there wasn't a dry eye in the house. It was very emotional," she said.

"They were so overwhelmed and so happy."

The Free Church of Tonga, Samoan Methodist Church, and the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa between received $1.46 million from the Provincial Growth Fund as part of the Fale Lotu Connections Project in Levin.

"These policies will have a massive impact and make a huge difference," she said.

Mayor of Horowhenua Bernie Wanden said making the churches more visible would bring greater community pride for the district's growing Pacific population.

Wanden said Pasifika leader Sue Hori Te Pa deserved credit for her application for PGF funding.

"It speaks volumes for that application," he said.

"It's money well spent in terms of providing the community with infrastructure it can benefit from week to week and its important that we recognise that and the difference that it makes."

A feature of the project was that Fair and Square Building Services used local subcontractors, tradespeople and suppliers in the rebuild.

The church was planning an official opening at Easter.