DOWNLOADNew Area Seventies for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were sustained this week in Salt Lake City, United States during a leadership meeting preceding the Church's worldwide 195th annual general conference this weekend.
Five of the new Area Seventies will serve the people in the Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea as part of the Eighth Quorum of the Seventy which includes the Philippines Area.
Area Seventies are Church leaders called by the First Presidency to be “especial witnesses” and to assist the Twelve in “building up the church and regulating all the affairs” and “preaching and administering the gospel” in their assigned areas (Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34, 38). They act under the keys and direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
The new Area Seventies are:
M. Sidney Daniels, 62, Hamilton, New Zealand; Associate Director, Pacific Church Schools; recently released as FSY representative of the New Zealand Hamilton CCM; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Wendy Marie; six children.
Siale Matavaha 'Eliesa, 50, Talau, Tonga; Principal, Saineha High School; currently serving as president of the Neiafu Vava'u Tonga West Stake; former bishopric counselor, branch president, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: 'Iolani; seven children.
H. Jason Joseph, 50, Apia, Samoa; Language Supervisor / Translation Manager, Pacific Area; currently serving as Area Seventy executive secretary in the Pacific Area; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Sally; seven children.
Jeffery M. Nikoia, 51, Hamilton, New Zealand; currently serving as president of the New Zealand Hamilton Mission; former bishop, bishopric counselor, mission presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Fiona; four children.
Huri Parata, 59, Lower Hutt, New Zealand; Platform Capability Lead, Ministry Social Development; currently serving as patriarch of the Upper Hutt New Zealand Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Margaret; six children.
Also announced was the release of Area Seventies, on or before the 1 August 2025 including, Paul B. Whippy and Faapito Auapaau from the Pacific Area.
Area Seventies are commissioned to assist in specific geographical areas. They typically serve for about five years and continue in their regular employment while attending to their duties. Their duties include teaching and ministering to Church members, meeting and counseling with local Church leaders to support them in fulfilling their responsibilities.
Each Area Seventy belongs to a Quorum of the Seventy. There are currently 12 Quorums of the Seventy. More Quorums of the Seventy may be added as the Church grows (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:93–96).
Though all Seventies have equal authority, some are designated as General Authorities and others are designated as Area Seventies.