Parish Priest
Vicar General of the Palmerston North Diocese

021 0228 3349

Fr Marcus was born in England to New Zealand parents, who already had two daughters, in 1970. The family returned to New Zealand in 1972 and arrived in Taradale, Napier, eighteen months later.

Fr Marcus went to Reignier School, Taradale Intermediate and St John's College before qualifying as a lawyer at Canterbury University. He did not practise law but travelled to England where he decided he was, in fact, called to the priesthood. Going to Holy Cross College as a seminarian in 1995 he was ordained as a priest on 24 February 2001. Apart from 2006 - 2010, when he studied for a doctorate in Canon Law, Fr Marcus has worked in parishes including his present posting at the Catholic Parish of Hastings (CPH) where he arrived in 2024.

As Vicar General for the Palmerston North Diocese, he works closely with Bishop John Adams to promote the wellbeing and holiness of the Diocese. Fr Marcus loves the Church and recommends all young Catholic men to consider the priesthood as a vocation before making serious, long term life choices.

Fr Marcus’ Weekly Blurb — Scripture for Today

Assistant Parish Priest

027 715 6654

Fr Vijay is the Assistant Parish Priest at the Catholic Parish of Hastings (CPH). Born in 1978 and raised in the small rural village of Duwarcini in Khanjaloya Parish, northern India, he entered the seminary in 1998 and was ordained to the priesthood on 27 December 2006, alongside 26 fellow priests.

In 2009, Fr Vijay began serving in the Diocese of Palmerston North, where he developed a deep love for the people of New Zealand and chose to continue God’s missionary work in the country. He arrived at CPH in 2024 and has since been faithfully ministering to the parish community.

Reflecting on the words, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9), Fr Vijay finds great joy in serving God’s people. While ministering in a new country and language has brought challenges, he remains committed to serving faithfully with dedication and compassion.

tevitaf@kaingapasifika.org.nz

Deacon Tevita was born in Tafahi, Niuatoputapu, Tonga. He attended the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, Fiji, for eight years. In 1989, he moved to New Zealand. He married Ave Tutiau in 1992, and they were blessed with three children.

He was ordained as a Permanent Married Deacon on July 1, 2018, by the Diocese of Palmerston North. He is the founder of "Kainga Pasifika Services Trust," which promotes the potential and well-being of Pasifika people in Hawke's Bay. He also serves as a Justice of the Peace in New Zealand.

tfesolai22@gmail.com

Deacon Paulo was born and raised in Samoa. After completing his college education, he began his professional career as a Statistical Officer with the Samoa Bureau of Statistics, where he served for 13 years.

In 2000, he married his wife, Ruta, and together they have been blessed with seven children. Answering God’s call to ministry, Deacon Paulo entered Moamoa Theological College in 2009 and was ordained as a Catechist in 2012. From 2013 to 2023, he and his family served several churches in the Apia Diocese in Samoa.

On August 10, 2022, he was ordained as a Permanent Deacon. Later that year, he and his family moved to Hastings, New Zealand. In 2025, Deacon Paulo began serving the CPH community.