On 10 October 2021 New Zealand and the Cook Island Presbyterian community lost one of their distinguished sons.

Reverend Kimi Ngatamariki Henry (QSM) was born on 29 September 1938 in Rarotonga, Cook Islands as one of 11 children of Tai O Tonga and Pokiona Henry.

Life in the Cook Islands revolves around Church and Kimi’s parents were very religious. His father served as a reverend’s assistant, so Kimi was immersed in the Church from a very young age. 

In 1965, 27-year-old Kimi Henry came to New Zealand. Here he met his future wife Raylene Gay Milne at the Ocean Beach Freezing Works near Bluff, where they both worked.

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Mrs Henry recalls that there was a little church standing empty near the Ocean Beach, which her husband nicknamed “the little house on the prairie”.

A local group of Cook Islanders and Samoans formed the Pacific Island Church (PIC) and used the Ocean Beach building for their services.

In 1991 the Ocean Beach Freezing Works closed, and Kimi was made redundant.

He continued his involvement with the PIC Church and two years later he said to his wife he had a calling to become a reverend.

Reverend Kimi outside the little church near Bluff, that he nicknamed “the little house on the prairie”.

He applied to the Presbyterian Church to be admitted to the Knox Theological College in Dunedin but did not fulfil the age criteria (he was 57 at the time).

However, a year later the Church officials decided to ordain him into the local area ministry.

Rev Kimi was ordained as a Local Area Minister of the Presbyterian Church, for the PIC Cook Island Congregation on 25 February 1996.

He has served his community as a minister for 25 years at the St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Invercargill, and became known as Papa Kimi. 

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After retirement Papa Kimi continued to serve Southland Presbyterian churches.

Even ill health did not stop him.

He said to the congregation, “even though I am unwell, I will crawl to the pulpit to share the Word of God with you all”. 

For his services to the community, he received The Queen's Service Medal in year 2000 New Year Honours.

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Mrs Henry describes her late husband as a humble man of a few words.

“He was kind and caring, but strict. He was a forgiving man who didn’t hold grudges,” she said.

Rev Kimi preached his last church service on 15 August 2021, at St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Invercargill.

He passed away peacefully on 10 October 2021 at home, aged 83, surrounded by his loving family.

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He is survived by his wife of 51 years Raylene, 11 children and 54 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His family chose the quote that represents his life as: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (Timothy 4: 7)

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 15, at St Andrew's Presbyterian Community Church, Manse Street, Invercargill at 10.00am. Covid restrictions apply: attendance by Invitation only.