Labour Party leaders attend Tongan Mass

Former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, former Cabinet minister Carmel Sepuloni, MP Jenny Salesa and other Labour Party personnel joined members of the Tongan community at the Mass on June 21.

“We thoroughly enjoyed the service and were uplifted by the beautiful singing and heavenly sounds of the Ōtara Tongan Catholic Church Choir,” Ms Salesa said in a Facebook post.

“The service was a wonderful opportunity to come together in faith, reflect on our shared values and celebrate the important role that churches play in strengthening our communities, while supporting and serving families in times of need,” she said.

Ms Salesa thanked Auckland Tongan Catholic chaplain Fr Soane Vahe for his “very warm welcome to our leader, deputy leader and our team”.

“Thank you also to the clergy, organisers and community leaders for your hospitality and for bringing people together in a spirit of unity, service and fellowship.”

A Tongan Mass is celebrated at St Benedicts on the third Sunday of each month. Ms Sepuloni is MP for Kelston and Ms Salesa is MP for Panmure-Ōtāhuhu.

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Labour Party leaders at Tongan Mass in Auckland (Jenny Salesa/Facebook)

Hon Carmel Sepuloni (NZ Labour Party)

Hon Jenny Salesa (NZ Labour Party)

Instagram (Karagh Singh/Instagram)