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Terry Pouono imageLecturer: Pacific Theology
NZ Certificate in Adult Tertiary Teaching (MIT), BA (Auckland), BDiv (MTC), M Ecumenical Studies (Geneva), PhD in Theology (Auckland).

Room 4S3, Arts Building
Tel +64 3 556 5630
Email terry.pouono@otago.ac.nz

Terry Pouono is a lecturer for Pacific Theology. He studied theology at Malua Theological College and completed his Master's in Ecumenical Studies at Bossey Ecumenical Institute and the University of Geneva. In his doctoral thesis, he looked at the identity of a New Zealand-born Samoan raised in a Samoan church and the dynamics of navigating between the cultural space and a multi-faceted society.

He teaches Moana Pasifika Theology and Pastoral Theology: Pasifika Perspectives. Terry hopes to introduce other Pacific papers in 2026, such as the History of Christianity in the Pacific. His research focuses on the Pacific diaspora in New Zealand and the significance of the Church in Pacific communities.

Terry is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Main research interests

  • Pacific churches in the contemporary world
  • Pacific theology
  • Majority World Theology
  • Pacific history

Teaching

  • CHTH 237/337 Special Topic: Moana Pasifika Theology
  • PAST 225/325 Special Topic: Pastoral Theology: Moana-Pacific Perspectives

Current Postgraduate students

Schuster, Taulu. (PhD) “O A’U, O A’U LAVA (I AM who I AM): Polynesian Gen-Z Christians of New Zealand leading the next generation.” PhD, Auckland University of Technology and Laidlaw College.

Sola, Chris. (PhD) “E fofō e le alamea le alamea: The Crown of Thorns Starfish shall heal itself: A study of why the Samoan church is both the problem and the solution for addressing the social and economic disparities facing Samoan people living in Auckland, New Zealand.” PhD, Auckland University of Technology and Laidlaw College.

Sefo, Tupu. (DMin) “A History of the Samoan Assemblies of God in NZ 1965-2011.” DMin, Asia Pacific Theological Seminary.

Mataia, Stephen. (Master's) “Leaving the village: Stories of diasporic Samoans movement away from traditional churches.” Master’s Thesis: Laidlaw College.

Liutai, Mose. (Master's) “Tautua a le Niu: To Engage the Samoan worldview of service in discourse with Christian practice, informing and forming Pasifika and the church’s theology of service.” Master’s Thesis: Laidlaw College.

Completed Postgraduate students

Iopu, Tomasi, “The Tuvaluan Diaspora Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand: Re-Orienting Towards a Missional Church.” Master’s Thesis: Laidlaw College, 2024.

Publications

Pouono, T. (2024). Lost in translation: Navigating our sea of islands in a catamaran... but where is my waka? Samoa Journal of Theology, 3(1), 86-96. Journal - Research Article

Pouono, T. (2024). Big is beautiful: Health and well-being in Pacific communities. Dialog. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/dial.12863 Journal - Research Article

Pouono, T. (2024). Faith and works … Or works and faith? A performative faith in Samoan Churches. Religions, 15, 292. doi: 10.3390/rel15030292 Journal - Research Article

Pouono, T. (2023). Faith and works... or is it works and faith? Discerning an authentic expression of faith in the Samoan Church. Proceedings of the 8th IAFOR International Conference on Education (IICE) in Hawaii & 3rd IAFOR International Conference on Arts & Humanities in Hawaii (IICAH). (pp. 144). [Abstract] Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Pouono, T. (2023, November-December). Moana: Changing tides in the Pacific diaspora. Verbal presentation at the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania (APTO) Conference, [Hybrid]. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

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