Elder Brigham Riwai-Couch touched down in Christchurch today after all non-national missionaries serving in Philippines missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were sent home.
His parents and siblings struggled to not hug and kiss him due to the self-isolation he is going into for the next fourteen days.
The young missionary is feeling well but the family will follow the steps as outlined by the New Zealand Government for passengers arriving in the country.
His mum, Melanie, says "it was really hard to not hug him" when they were reunited.
Missionaries returning home early due to COVID-19 are in many cases being reassigned to missions in their home countries.
Elder Riwai-Couch says he was extremely sad to leave his Filipino friends and other missionaries but can’t wait to receive his next missionary assignment.