Reverend Iliafi Esera, of Whanganui, ONZM for services to the Samoan community and Christian ministry
Reverend Iliafi Esera is Senior Pastor of Faith City Church in Whanganui and provides leadership for Faith City School. He is overseer for Faith City United Churches in Australia, New Zealand and Samoa. He is the first non-European General Superintendent of Assemblies of God in New Zealand. He oversees 600 ministers and 231 churches in New Zealand and is Apostolic Overseer of Great Life International Churches in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Samoa. He has helped establish Māori Assemblies of God churches around the country. He established the Samoan Pastors and Leaders International Network. He has fundraised for overseas Christian missions and natural disaster relief efforts in Asia and the Pacific. Reverend Esera heads the To’omaga Ministry, which supports people, particularly Samoans, with legal and family violence issues.