Blessing ceremony

FOR the first time ever a Turou - ‘Ava blessing ceremony has been held at the New Zealand parliament for new Pasifika MPs. Five new MPs with Pacific heritage were elected this year bringing the total of Pasifika MPs in the house to 11 — the most ever. Flanked on both sides by ‘ei wearing supporters and with joyous Pasifika singing echoing through the lower halls of the Beehive — the five newest Pasifika MPs and their families were welcomed to a blessing ceremony held in their honour and attended by community, church and political leaders.