On Sundays Pastor Matawalu Waqanituinayau, known as Mata, runs services at the Assemblies of God church but when he’s not preaching he’s following his other passion – rugby.
The Matamata pastor, who has been in New Zealand for 18 years, is also acting as a player agent, a position that has attracted controversy recently because of concerns over the welfare of players who come to New Zealand from the Pacific Islands chasing their dream.
Mata says he is only trying to help his countrymen who encounter a “culture shock” when they land in New Zealand. They don’t know what to do when they suddenly have some money, he says, and can get into trouble.Continue reading