Late Mrs. Eva Wagapu’s funeral service was held on Saturday 27th June 2020, at a privately owned Wesley United Church in Waitara, Taranaki, New Zealand at 11am followed by the cremation ceremony at the crematorium.
The Funeral service was officiated by Rev. Manoa Havea who is also a Solomon Islands Wesley United Church Minister living in Taranaki.
Mr. John Kemakeza, second secretary of the Solomon Islands High Commission to New Zealand attended the funeral service and took the opportunity to pay tribute to Late Mrs. Eva Wagapu for her services and contributions to the people and the Government of Solomon Islands.
Mr. Kemakeza, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary Ambassador Collin Beck of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade and his Staff conveyed their deepest heartfelt condolences to Late Eva Wagapu’s daughter; Mrs. Noelyn Wagapu in New Zealand and the extended Wagapu Family in Honiara.
Late Eva Wagapu’s life was reflected as a very dedicated public servant who served her country and the people of Solomon Islands with great humility.
Late Eva devoted her life to the development of women in the Solomon Islands and touched many families for over 40 years. Since 1st of June 1977 to her retirement from the Solomon Islands Government on the 15th November 2019.
Her enormous contributions to the development of women and Human Rights advocacy in the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs in the Solomon Islands Government will always be honoured.
Her humour, kindness and selflessness will continue to inspire those who were lucky enough to have crossed paths with her. Eva’s beautiful Soul will be gone but never to be forgotten as her famously published poems; “Forgiveness” and “A Loser” lingers on in the literature arena.
A good turnout of Solomon Island wantoks and families living in Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga, and Taranaki attended the funeral service.
Late Eva Wagapu’s body was cremated at the crematorium after the funeral service. Rev. Manoa and his wife Nessi Havea hosted a dinner for all at their privately owned Church compound in Taranaki.
The High Commission to New Zealand used the opportunity to thank all our Nationals who made the effort to attend and encourage them all to reflect on late Eva Wagapu’s life and be proud Ambassadors of our beloved nation Solomon Islands, and in doing so, urged everyone to continue to share the spirit of unity and togetherness as Solomon Islanders in a foreign land.
May Late Eva Wagapu’s Soul rest in love with our Heavenly Father.
