One Mission, One Vaka/Waka, One Ocean – Ocean Wellbeing 

Moved by: Ms Bolivia Smith Seconded by: Rev’d Winston Tarere 

That this 67th General Synod / Te Hīnota Whānui: 

1. Gives thanks to the Almighty for granting us the stewardship of the World’s Largest Cathedral: Our Moana Nui a Kiwa, our Pacific Ocean, Our Moana. 

2. Recognizes the need for the Church to intentionally shift our relationship with the Moana Nui a Kiwa from one of dominion and exploitation to one of stewardship and ultimately to one of GUARDIANSHIP recognizing the Moana as God’s creation and as integral to the identity, culture, livelihoods and wellbeing of the current generation and the generations to come. 

3. Recalling our moral and ethical responsibility as the Church of the Moana to our societies and communities; 

4. Commits resources to ensure opportunities to learn from, support and strengthen one another as tikanga; 

5. Recalling our endeavour to reflect a HIGH TRUST model of relationship 

therefore requests: 

6. The General Synod Standing Committee, in consultation with the Three Tikanga and particularly the Diocese of Polynesia, to task the Climate Change Commissioner and Tikanga Climate Champions, Anglican Missions, Ocean Experts from each Tikanga and other relevant bodies to: 

i. Develop an Anglican Ocean Wellbeing framework grounded in Christian theology, Indigenous knowledge of the Moana (Pacific Ocean) and the lived experience of our communities; 

ii. Further develop a Theology of the Ocean taking into consideration the recent work of the TPOA on the concept of MANUIKA 

iii. Develop liturgical resources on the ocean with the relevant 3T Liturgical bodies; 

iv. Identify practical actions that parishes, dioceses and Church bodies can undertake to protect and restore the wellbeing of our oceans and coastal communities; 

https://synod365.sharepoint.com/Shared Documents/GENERAL SYNOD/SYNOD 2010-/GENERAL SYNOD 2026/2026 MINUTES/Signed Minutes Thursday 20AUG26 @ 05OCT26.docx 

v. Strengthen the participation and leadership of Pacific voices in relevant national, regional and international conversations concerning oceans, climate change and environmental justice; 

vi. Explore partnerships with Pacific churches, communities, governments, regional organisations and other appropriate bodies working for Ocean Wellbeing; 

vii. Ensure that the Climate Change Commission is adequately resourced to address the agreed priorities; 

viii. Report progress and recommendations to GSSC; 

ix. Prepare the statement to highlight the stance of the Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia on safeguarding the wellbeing of the ocean in the next Pacific Island Forum