Media Release 11 October 2001
An historic agreement spanning three major churches will be signed in Niue on Sunday October 21 during the centennial celebrations of the formal relationship between Niue and New Zealand.
The agreement is between the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Congregational Union of New Zealand and Ekalesia Niue. It covers existing and future Niuean congregations and ministers in New Zealand.
"Over the years, most Niueans in New Zealand have found their spiritual home in the Congregational churches and then the Presbyterian church. But in recent years there has been some confusion by the New Zealand churches about the place in New Zealand of Ekalesia Niue, the Niuean home church, " said the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the Rt Rev Rob Yule.
"This agreement will allow the three churches to work in a co-operative rather than competitive way, for the benefit of the Niuean people in New Zealand," he said.
Key points in the agreement include the sharing of overall strategies, resources and information, discussion before the establishment of new churches and acknowledgement of people's right to choose the church they wish.
Ministers from each church will be recognised by the other churches and Ekalesia Niue ministers will continue to have the opportunity for training in New Zealand in association with the Congregational Union or the Presbyterian Church.
There are 18,000 Niueans in New Zealand with Auckland being the largest population centre. The Presbyterian Church has 13 parishes with Niuean congregations with the two largest being Newton-Pacific Islanders and Otara - Pacific Islanders in Auckland.
The Congregational Union has a number of churches with a strong Niuean presence particularly in Auckland.