MAN of STYLE

A passion for the beautiful and eclectic reflects the occupants of this historic Wellington apartment

- Michael Mansvelt

The old Aulsebrooks factory in the middle of Wellington hasn't been making iced animal biscuits in years. Instead, the historic building is now an apartment building with smart, spacious apartments featuring soaring ceilings and period details.

Andre Afamasaga and civil servant flatmate Paul Whiting have lived in one of the complex's light-filled two-bedroom rented apartments for seven years. There are shades of Monica and Rachel's New York pad from the '90s sitcom Friends to it, with its tall bank of colonial-style south-facing windows and their eclectic mix of furnishings and decor.

The apartment is solid concrete, which is warm in winter and cool in summer, and the recent earthquake strengthening is apparent wherever one looks with large steel beams unapologetically poking through walls and midway through spaces. This only adds to the heritage feel of the space and provides comfort to its tenants who were living here during the Wellington quakes of 2016.

Andre is a human rights advocate and former pastor who hit the headlines with his coming out column in the Sydney Morning Herald and several other international publications, which went viral at the end of 2019. It was in response to the Instagram posts by rugby superstar Israel Folau condemning the rainbow community to an eternity of judgement and torment.

He told his story about coming to terms with his sexuality, faith and self-acceptance to send a clear message to young rainbow people in the Pacific community who looked up to figures like Israel Folau, and that his outspoken comments were not only false, but unacceptable and harmful.

Andre's life has been built on a strong foundation of faith, family and culture. The Kiwi-born gay Samoan man grew up in a proud and vibrant, faith-filled family and migrant home where his late parents always put first the needs of others.