Pacific military chaplains gather for faith forum in Auckland

Twenty-five chaplains from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea have gathered in Auckland for a conference.

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) chaplain Dave Lacey said the first Pacific Defence Faith Network is an opportunity to get to know each other better and to look at ways they can support each other and work closer together in the future.

“Having a faith network across the Pacific provides us with a unique opportunity to connect at a level and in a way we haven’t done before,” he said.

Church services will be held by Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea chaplains, with a combined church service led by the Anglican Bishop to the NZDF, Bishop Te Kitohi ‘Kito’ Pikaahu.

Bishop Pikaahu said the aim of the combined church service is to bring together the Pacific community in Auckland to worship together.

“From village life, town life and church life, chaplains play a vital role in realising identity in the Pacific,” he said.

“Chaplains in the military play a key role and are a “force for good”, especially in island nations that experience conflict.

“We hold moral and ethical authority, especially in countries that experience conflict, as chaplains are deployable with units to provide stability and community involvement.”

Fiji’s military chaplaincy department said in a statement that Force chaplain, Reverend Major Tunidau along with assistant Force chaplain, Reverend Captain Tama and the Force catechist, Warrant Officer class 2 Nabola, are in New Zealand for the forum.

It said the purpose was to “build and set perimeters of network within [the] Pacific and establish relationships with other Pacific faith leaders”.

The NZDF has more than 30 chaplains serving within the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Chaplain Lacey said they play a vital role in service personnel’s wellbeing.

“This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships between the different countries based on faith, and further support our people, which is quite unique.”

The forum, held at Devonport Naval Base, and the Air Force Base Auckland in Whenuapai, wraps up on Friday.