Defence Force chaplains from throughout the Pacific have come together this week for the first Pacific Defence Faith Network, hosted by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

Twenty-five defence force chaplains from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea are attending the week-long forum in Auckland. The forum is held at at the Devonport Naval Base and RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai, from 10-14 June.

The tri-service event created an opportunity for chaplains to participate in conferencing, sharing, prayer and to learn from key-note speakers in the faith community, said NZDF Chaplain Dave Lacey, Principal Chaplain (Operations).

“This is a first. It’s a really significant event for the NZDF and chaplaincy to host an event where Pacific Defence Force chaplains have come together like this."

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better and to look at ways we 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.”

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

“The aim of the combined church service is to bring together the Pacific community in Auckland, to worship together. Chaplains in the military play a key role and are a “Force for Good”, especially in island nations that experience conflict,” Bishop Pikaahu said.

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

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

The NZDF has more than 30 chaplains serving within the Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), who provide spiritual and pastoral care as well as religious and educational services for all NZDF personnel and their whānau.

“Chaplains play a vital role in the well-being of our sailors, soldiers and aviators. This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships between the different countries based on faith, and further support our people, which is quite unique,” Chaplain Lacey said.