PORTRAITS OF POLY PASTORS KIDS: SILIGA SETOGA & FOFOGA SETOGA-TUALA

Siliga's late father studied at Malua Theological college in Samoa and briefly served at the PIC church before being appointed as the Minister of the Westmere (EFKS) Christian Congregational Church of Samoa where they served for 21 years.  

When his parents moved to New Zealand from Samoa they lived in Tokoroa working in the mills.  They later moved to Auckland.  Siliga is a visual artist known for exploring issues of identity, politics, religion and social issues that face pacific people.  He says that throughout his childhood and adolescence he despised the title that he had as the ‘Faifeau’s son’ because of the stigma of privilege that came with it.  He says he preferred to mix with his island friends whose family backgrounds were completely different.  “I was a very naughty boy in school.  We used to take on the establishment, I wanted to be the class clown.  I think that was my way of trying to fit into the circle my mates were in.”

In hindsight he believes the experience was a blessing and reflects on his upbringing with thankfulness due to the privileges afforded him and the values he learned.  Siliga does believe there were harmful practises within island church culture which held people down.  He has always been vocal against these issues.  He does however agree with the bible-based Christian values which he still holds today.  He believes there are elements of island church culture which lead people to idolise the messenger, rather than take heed of the message.  One of the values he now holds through his experience in the ministry, is finding courage to accept or reject certain pressures as well as being able to dictate his own terms of his life.  

Suggested Links: 

Portraits of Poly Pastors Kids - The Mika Sisters 

Portraits of Poly Pastors Kids - The Amosa Brothers

Portraits of a Poly Pastors Kid - Marama Papau

Portraits of a Poly Pastors Kid - Amy Tielu