17/09/2026
🌺 FAUTASI — A PLACE OF DIVINE CONNECTION & DIVINE HELPING 🌺
Reading this post has brought so many emotions to my heart — gratitude, joy, memories and, honestly, tears. 🥹❤️
For me personally, Fautasi is more than just a shop. I call this place a place of Divine Connecting and Divine Helping. 🙏🏽
This is where a very important part of the Yafa journey began.
Few Years ago and I can vividly remember that day ,When I first walked through those doors, I didn't know much about business. I only knew that I had something in my hands, I believed in the work of my hands, and I wanted to give it a try.
But Theresa didn't just ask me, “What can you do? What can you sell? What have you started?”
She went beyond that.
She opened the doors of her own shop and gave me the opportunity to bring my food into her space and sell it. ❤️
She taught me so many things about starting and growing a business — what to expect each day, how to think about customers, how to manage the numbers and finances, and how to look at business beyond just making sales.
She helped nurture something in me that I didn't realise I needed — my confidence in financial literacy and numeracy.
And most importantly, she believed in my story,my Testimony that day!
Sometimes, when you are starting with very little, you don't need someone to do it for you. You need someone who will open a door, share what they know, give you an opportunity and say, “You can do this.” 🌱
That is what Fautasi became for me.
A place where doors opened.
A place where connections were made.
A place where knowledge was shared.
A place where opportunities were given.
A place where my little seed began to grow. 🌱
And the blessing of that connection didn't stop with Yafa.
It has carried on until today and has been a blessing not only to me and my family, but also to my Yeshua Global Church family. ❤️
And when I look back at our journey — even our journey towards purchasing our home — I realise that God placed so many people around us who backed us, encouraged us, supported us, connected us and helped us along the way.
Theresa and Tonu are among those people I acknowledge today.
But I also want to acknowledge ALL the people God has placed around our family.
Because sometimes we can look at where we are today and forget all the hands that helped us along the way.
There are so many people who have supported our family, believed in us, encouraged us, prayed for us, opened doors for us and stood beside us.
To every one of you — VINAKA VAKALEVU. ❤️
We acknowledge you. We appreciate you. And we will never forget the part you played in our journey.
So when I look at Fautasi, I don't just see a shop at 20 Norton Road.
I see divine connections.
I see divine help.
I see answered prayers.
I see relationships.
I see opportunities.
I see a seed that was given a place to grow.
And now, as this chapter comes to an end, I truly believe something great is coming into this shop. 🌺
The torch is being passed on.
And just as Theresa and Tonu created a space where people could connect, build, learn and grow, I believe the next chapter will carry its own story, its own blessings and its own impact.
As one chapter closes, another one begins.
And perhaps years from now, someone else will stand at that same place and say:
“This is where my journey began.” ❤️
Theresa and Tonu — Vinaka Vakalevu for being part of our story.
May God richly bless you both, your family, your businesses and everything that is ahead.
The seed has been planted. The connections have been made. The legacy continues. 🌱🌺❤️
🌺 A NEW CHAPTER IS COMING…
In 2018, we moved to Kirikiriroa to raise our young family. As P.I.s, we quickly discovered there was no Pacific retail shop in our city to meet our unique poly needs 😁🌺
So, a little over 3 years ago, we decided to solve the problem and fill that gap with the birth of Fautasi Pacific Retail & Freight - our little gateway to the Pacific here in Kirikiriroa.
What an incredible journey it has been. ❤️
With changes in our family circumstances, including a greater need to be present for our ageing parents, alongside the direction & growth of our other long-standing business ventures, we feel the time is right to hand Fautasi Pacific Retail over to its next chapter.
From 1 October 2026, Fautasi Pacific Retail will have new owners , a new shop name -at the same location.
📍 20 Norton Road, Frankton, Hamilton
And we couldn’t be more excited!
Another Pacific family will take the reins, who no doubt will serve, grow and thrive, bringing their own unique taste, talents and vision and taking what was started here to the next level. 🌺
To our community…
THANK YOU. ❤️
Thank you to every person, school, community group and organisation who walked through our doors, made a purchase, shared a talanoa or a laugh, supported us, recommended us , collaborated, prayed over and with us 🙏🏽
To the Pacific businesses who walked alongside us, and those we had the privilege of walking alongside - thank you. ❤️
Thank you for trusting us with your needs, products, your brand,plus welcoming the complementary business coaching🤭😂 - allowing us to provide a space in our shop where you could build and grow your own businesses, alongside ours.
We are so grateful for you all. 🥹
If you scroll through our social media, you’ll see just how passionate we have been about collaboration and building a Pacific business community here in the Waikato — supporting one another, creating connections, sharing opportunities and showing what is possible when we choose to build together.
Creating a space where our many Pacific cultures and businesses could come together.
Fulfilling the original mission and vision of Fautasi Pacific Retail & Freight — to build & serve our communities as one. ❤️
That will always be one of the things we are most proud of, and something we will continue to advocate for wearing our other hats. 💯
We are also proud of the beautiful friendships we’ve made along the way too.
While we’re excited for what’s ahead, we will miss our suppliers & customers and the privilege of serving you at the shop.
We could not have survived & built this business without you all.
But this is not the end. 🌺 The need is still there, and our community continues to grow. We are passing on the torch having full faith that what was started here will continue to grow and shine in the hands of our new & amazing owners. ❤️
We will continue trading throughout September and will also be around to support our new owners as they settle in, helping to ensure a smooth transition.
As one door closes, another opens.
As we look towards this next chapter, we are reminded:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 🙏🏽
Watch this space… 👀🌺
An introduction of your NEW OWNERS will be announced soon!
Thank you again. We are extremely appreciative and grateful for every person who has been part of our Fautasi Pacific Retail & Freight journey. ❤️
Blessings,
Alofa tele atu,
Lefaufili Tonu & Theresa Alaimoana ❤️
Photo taken: The day our signage went up- 1st September 2023 🌷
