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Ivan Wong Kee

@ivanwongkee

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Two years today. I forgot until I saw it this evening on the family chat, and I realized why today felt so heavy.

It took me a while to get out of bed this morning, and then a few tears welled up. I wasn’t sure why. It’s amazing that our spirit and body still carry grief even when we don’t remember.

Mum, we miss you. I think the hardest thing is when things happen in our family and we realize you’re not here to share those moments.

I was thinking of the last time I talked to you, Mum. You asked me, “Will God forgive me?” I said, “Of course, Mum,” and you gave your heart to Him, not knowing those would be the last words you would speak.

The only thing that has held me is knowing you are with the Lord.

Love you, Mum. by @ivanwongkee

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16 days ago

Lesson 2 from Dad: Give it a go.

My dad was never going to die wondering, “What would have happened if I had done this?” He was a man who had ideas and gave them a go.

He didn’t let his perceived lacks stop him from figuring things out. No lack of education (he left school at 14), no lack of perfect English (regardless of how broken it was), and no lack of money or resources ever stopped him from giving something a go.

He worked in the freezing works, but he figured out how to fix cars, build houses, plaster, wire things, plumb things, lay bricks, pour concrete, and farm—breeding pigs, sheep, and cattle. His ability to learn and adapt was amazing. He wasn’t fearful of failure. After an accident, he went back to school to learn about computers and got a job with Māori Affairs, serving our Pacific people.

He had so many ideas and dreams. He always had a new project, trying something for the first time. He started an ice business, a vodka business, a fish and chip shop, and a bakery with Mum in Samoa. He started boxing clubs in both Samoa and New Zealand. He figured that a breed of sheep from Israel was the ideal sheep for Samoa’s climate, so he worked out how to get them all the way over there.

We used to joke that Dad’s dreams became my sister’s nightmares because she helped fund a lot of his new ideas.

But reflecting on this trait in him, I realize he was fearless. What he achieved with the little he had was truly remarkable. He was always a front-runner, willing to go where no other Samoans had been before.

Dad, thank you for being fearless and giving the impossible a go. Thank you for living a life without regret. by @ivanwongkee

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8 months ago

Yesterday marked 12 years since Dad passed away. Often when growing up, I didn’t see what my dad was trying to teach us. But as I have gotten older—now 50—I appreciate him more now than I ever have. I am going to share over the next little while my top ten lessons I learnt from my dad.

Lesson 1: His Work Ethic.

Such a hard worker—not an ounce of laziness in him. Whatever he did, he did with everything he had. He had a one-liner in his fob accent: ‘If you’re going to do it, do it right.’ I remember asking Dad for a toy or bike at a young age. He said, “Lei tautau luma le laau.” (Sorry if I spelt it wrong; I’m dyslexic in English and Samoan, lol.) which translates, ‘It’s hanging in the tree.’

What he was saying was, if you’re going picking fruit, you can have your toy. What I wanted was ‘hanging on the tree.’ He gave insight into his mindset: hard work leads to what you want. So we started at a young age picking boysenberries and every other fruit and veg you can think of. In the tomato patch, picking before school in the dark with the car lights on so we could see. This work ethic spilled into every area of our lives. My siblings are all gifted in different things, but we all have that work ethic. And because of this lesson from Dad, we got NZ titles in Karate and boxing. I would get promotions as a chef just because of how hard I would work. If you were at home and he was at work, it was expected that the lawns would be done, dishes cleared, clothes hung out, house vacuumed, rubbish taken out, cars washed, firewood put away—whatever needed to be done was expected to be done. In his mind, it was lazy to be sitting around when things needed to be done. Don’t get me started on when we bought a family fish and chip shop called Kiwi Foods. The long hours serving people, filleting fish before school (before a School Cert Maths exam). As a teenager, I didn’t like working this hard, working during holidays, but Dad knew what he was building.

I am very grateful now for that work ethic that has opened so many doors, created so many friends, and brought so many blessings.

Dad, thank you. Maybe money does grow on trees. Well, in Dad’s eyes, it did. by @ivanwongkee

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9 months ago

Thank you, everyone, for the birthday wishes!!

It’s the BIG 50 for me today. Planning a party when I get back, but today my kids and Julz treated me to a boat ride in Milford Sound—it was so cool.

A mixture of camping, freedom camping, and campsites is such a cool way to spend this milestone.

2025 was such a big year of growth spiritually and personally. Grateful for family, friends, and business partners. 2025 was the year of FASTING AND PRAYER for me. It felt like we were laying a foundation for 2026.

A highlight for me in 2025 was seeing botLisa Reedy-Jenningsgs anReina Hengng get saved and meet Jesus. And to haveNu Taramaii join our team has been a true blessing.

God’s GRACE and mercy are going to mark 2026. Filling the tank so we can hit 2026 with everything we have.

There is a prophetic word stirring for 2026. For me, 2026 is going to be a year of Jubilee, a year of Spiritual AWAKENING. God is moving on willing vessels and clean vessels.

The best SERMON my first pastor (Mike Knott) preached still rings true today: Stay HOLY, Stay HUMBLE, Stay Hungry.

Yes, I am spending my 50th BIRTHDAY preaching. LOL.

If you know me because of church, then I encourage you: Stay HOLY, Stay HUMBLE, Stay Hungry.

If you know me because of school or business, I pray you meet the God who loves you dearly and is the MISSING piece to your life.

If you know me from church but you are no longer walking with God, His mercy is reaching out to you because He understands the pain and hurt you have carried for so long. Turn around; His arms are wide open to embrace you.

Fifty years old is a milestone that brings both joy and sadness for me. My mum and dad aren’t here to celebrate. I owe so much to them. I just wanted them to see nothing was wasted. I am so grateful to my siblings Doff, Andrew, Beulah, and Laura. Each has played a significant role in my life, and we carry a silent loyalty and commitment to each other that was forged in those early FLAXMERE days.

A big thank you to the pastors and leaders who gave so much to disciple me.

FinallyJulz Talia-Wong Keelia-Wong Kee, and kids JonaJennifer Keend Jennifer Kee. You FOUR are my WHY.

Bring on the next 50 years, I say! by @ivanwongkee

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9 months ago

Day 1 With our Chch family.
Day 2 Tamuka camping.
Day 3 Church at Timaru Salvation Army.
Then Salmon farm fishing.
Freedom Camping Lake Pukaki.
Day 4 Lake Tekapo Hot Springs. Freedom camping Lake Poaka.
Day 5 freedom camping Lake Wanaka by @ivanwongkee

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10 months ago

My most favourite Christmas to date 🤍 by @ivanwongkee

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10 months ago

by @ivanwongkee

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a year ago

It’s always a real honour to help people to achieve their dreams. When we do that to enough people we find our dreams come to pass. by @ivanwongkee

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a year ago

Book today don’t miss out. by @ivanwongkee

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a year ago

Wow 28 years. Many thought we wouldn’t last 28 days. You are Gods gift to me. You are proof God is real. The trials and tribulation you have face and still come out the other side with a sweet spirit toward life and God is just inspiring. Selfless, generous, compassionate, loyal, faithful and sacrificial. I am grateful beyond words. by @ivanwongkee

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a year ago

🕊️🤍 by @ivanwongkee

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a year ago

by @ivanwongkee

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a year ago