Samani Pulepule information

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Samani Pulepule
Samani and Sapapali'i Pulepule
Born	Samani-Sisipeni Pulepule (1923-10-13)13 October 1923 Solosolo, Upolu, Territory of Western Samoa
Died	4 June 2013(2013-06-04) (aged 89) Māngere, Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality
Occupation(s)	Minister Evangelist Presiding President Samoan Assemblies of God
Years active	1960–2011
Successor	Reverend Motu Matia
Spouse	Sapapali'i Pulepule

Samani Pulepule (13 October 1923 – 4 June 2013), formally His Eminence and Most Reverend, Chief Apostle Dr. Samani Pulepule was a Samoan minister from the early 1950s in the Assemblies of God movement.^[1][2] Dr Pulepule was also the Chief Apostle of the Samoan Assemblies of God in New Zealand for over 40 years and was elected as the World Chairman of the Samoan Assemblies of God International. The Tokelauan Assemblies of God and Tuvaluan Assemblies of God also came under his leadership.

He was the senior pastor for the Grey Lynn Samoan Assemblies of God congregation in Auckland, New Zealand. It was one of the fastest growing and largest Samoan congregations in the world. Pulepule also planted over 100 churches throughout New Zealand, over 60 in Australia, and elsewhere where Samoan communities were present.

Rev. Pulepule played a pivotal role in mission work, particularly in Samoa and American Samoa, where the District Council of the Assemblies of God comprises almost 200 congregations. His influence extended to the mainland USA, fostering the growth of over 90 Samoan congregations, predominantly along the west coast, with an additional 50 in Hawaii and Alaska. In the 1990s, he played a key role in establishing the Samoan Assemblies of God in England and Germany.

The World Tongan Assemblies of God fellowship emerged through Pulepule's guidance, as Tongan leaders sought his assistance in creating a global movement. In 2005, a significant development occurred in the New Zealand Samoan movement he led, resulting in 40 churches remaining under the Assemblies of God in New Zealand umbrella, while 45 churches became an autonomous fellowship under his leadership.

Since 2005, the church under Pulepule's direction has experienced substantial growth, increasing from 45 to over 80 congregations. It remains the fastest-growing Pentecostal movement in New Zealand. However, on September 25, 2011, Pulepule officially resigned from his roles as Chief Apostle, General Superintendent, and World Chairman in the Samoan Assemblies of God movement. The event was attended by former General Superintendents of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand, global Assemblies of God leaders, the mayor of Auckland, the Auckland City Council, Members of Parliament, and leaders from other Pentecostal denominations. All paid tribute to Pulepule and the First Lady.

Since its inception, the Samoan Assemblies of God in New Zealand has rejected various traditional Samoan cultural practices. Reverend Pulepule was recognized as one of the longest-serving pastors in the Southern Hemisphere.

His wife, First Lady Sapapali'i Pulepule, died on 21 May 2013.^[3] Pulepule died two weeks later on 4 June 2013.^[4] Thousands attended both memorial services. The New Zealand Government also presented gifts, and the National flag of New Zealand was draped over their coffins.