Standing in front of the Reformation Wall in Geneva is, from left, Dr Terry Pouono and three other theologians. All four had been attending the "Toward Nicaea 2025: Exploring the Council's Ecumenical Significance Today", which was held at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, Switzerland in November last year.
Dr Terry Pouono brings his Pacific world view, Christian faith, and enquiring mind to his role as the University of Otago’s first Pacific lecturer in theology.
Learning he is also a Zumba enthusiast makes perfect sense – he radiates good vibes and wellbeing.
Head of the Theology Programme at Otago, Professor Paul Trebilco, says, “It’s wonderful that we’ve been able to appoint someone of Terry’s experience and academic qualifications as the first Pacific Lecturer in Theology in our Programme.
“Terry is an inspirational teacher and an excellent researcher, and we know that he’ll attract many undergrad and postgrad students to take his courses and learn more about Christian faith through a Pacific lens.”
Terry was welcomed into te Mātai Whakapono Karaitiana – the Theology programme in the Division of Humanities at the end of last year. He taught a distance learning block course over the summer in Tāmaki Makaurau and will relocate from there to Ōtepoti for the start of Semester 1 this year.
He is introducing three papers to Otago: Moana Pasifika Theology, Pastoral Theology: Pasifika Perspectives, and History of Christianity in the Pacific.
“Basically, through my teaching I want to be faithful to the Pacific worldview but also try to integrate the diaspora community and some of the dynamics within that community and my story as well,” Terry says.
Terry, seated, with family.
“Western Christianity is very philosophical, but we [Pasifika] have core elements of our world view that underpin our faith. Land, community, our surroundings are all part of our identity, the whenua, the people. This is not philosophical, God is part of our life – he is always there, all that we do - God is part of that.”
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Te Kete Aronui - Division of Humanities, Professor Hugh Campbell says, “This is a time of important visioning, energising and thinking about how Theology as a university discipline spends the middle of the twenty-first century. In the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, that is clearly about a rapidly deepening and elaborating engagement with Māori and Pacific theologies, so it is important to see us building up the capacity in these areas.”
While the courses are geared towards Pacific communities, Terry also welcomes others to engage with them – his own faith journey has been enhanced by exploration.
Terry gained a degree in Theology at Malua Theological College, Samoa and completed a doctoral thesis with Auckland University tilted “Coconut water in a Coca Cola bottle”: In search of an identity: A New Zealand-born Samoan Christian in a globalized world".
“I’m a New Zealand born Samoan who has been raised in a Samoan church, but I am also navigating this global world and that really brings a lot more challenges to my Samoan identity – we want to preserve our language, preserve our culture but I am also a participant in the global world.
“The impact of this is quite challenging in many ways for the health and wellbeing of our people, we are asking questions about our identity and that’s the basis of my thesis - that identity crisis.
“For some of us it’s a blessing to be given the opportunity to navigate the two worlds. Because man what an opportunity.”
Blues rugby player Ofa Tuungafasi, left, with Terry at Eden Park on Saturday, celebrating Ofa's 150th game. Terry has been doing security at Eden Park since 2014 and spent eight years in the Players' Tunnel.
Terry continued this exploration of theology and identity with a Master’s in Ecumenical Studies at the Bose Ecumenical Institute in Geneva (Ecumenism is a concept of unity between Christians of different denominations). This brought together 40-50 students, from around the world, from different cultures and denominations.
“It was quite challenging at first but after a year together it opened up my mind beyond my comfort zone as a Samoan Christian and understanding to be more tolerant and respectful of the diverse expressions of their faith journeys.”
“It really made me appreciate Christianity more and my faith and God is a lot bigger outside of my Samoan church, God is a God who surpasses cultural boundaries and time and space.”
After his time in Geneva, Terry taught Theology back at his alma mater Malua Theological College, Samoa for six years. Most recently, he was a Theology lecturer at Laidlaw College, in Auckland.
Terry is now part of a multicultural Presbyterian Church, where he says it is important to listen to each other’s stories and understand how we each serve God, “I love that space”.
He is very grateful for this opportunity with Otago and is looking forward to strengthening relationships with communities, and theological colleges here and across the Pacific.
This role is made possible by the generous support of the Longview Trust. This Waikato-based Trust was set up by a small group of farmers to grow the New Zealand church. They have invested profits from their farming endeavours into Christian work and serving their local communities since 1951.
Read more about Dr Terry Pouono here, and more about the Theology Programme here.