Joseph Fa'afiu.
Joseph Fa'afiu
Community Spirit category: Joseph Fa'afiu is a popular church leader, particularly among youth, in South Auckland.
But he shies away from his official title - pastor - preferring only to be known as Joe.
"I always tell people to just call me Joseph or Joe. I want them to not think of me as higher than them, just someone who's there to help."
The 33-year-old and father of five boys is one of several pastors at the Faith City Church in Papatoetoe.
He takes care of the church's arts and music programme and works closely with young people interested in the arts.
He has Fridays off, but chooses to go out to libraries around South Auckland to read to children.
"I love the libraries and doing storytime with the kids. I like helping young Maori and Pacific kids see how cool reading is.
"I do all the voices of the characters and just make things fun - make reading fun."
Last year, Mr Fa'afiu, who has always had a passion for writing, decided to write a book that would empower young children.
"There was nothing out there I could see that was around the idea that I had. I wanted something that dealt with topical things like bullying and identity."
I Am Me was published last year, aimed at children aged 3 to 6 years old.
"It's about self-discovery and the idea of not comparing themselves to other people."
Mr Fa'afiu and wife Lydia are planning their own publishing brand, to help local youngsters tell their own stories.
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Napier CBD to celebrate Christmas with a month of events, starting November 23.