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Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai - Nurture the seed and it will blossom
National Interfaith Forum
Weekend of 13th and 14th of March, 2027 (Informal gathering - Friday 12th evening)
In Dunedin, NZ
An opportunity to gather, dialogue and reflect.
An opportunity to gather, dialogue and reflect.
Welcome!
Welcome!
The Dunedin Interfaith Council (DIC) warmly welcomes members of interfaith councils across the motu, and all engaged in inter-religious dialogue, to gather in friendship and hope. We also encourage anyone who has an interest in building respectful relationships with people of diverse faiths to come and participate, even if this is your first time venturing into this space. After more than seven years without a face-to-face National Interfaith Forum, we are responding post-Covid crisis to the shared wish to meet again, kanohi ki te kanohi. We aim to plan carefully and keep things simple: quality, meaningful input; opportunity to share and dialogue; comfortable venue; low cost.
The Dunedin Interfaith Council (DIC) warmly welcomes members of interfaith councils across the motu, and all engaged in inter-religious dialogue, to gather in friendship and hope. We also encourage anyone who has an interest in building respectful relationships with people of diverse faiths to come and participate, even if this is your first time venturing into this space. After more than seven years without a face-to-face National Interfaith Forum, we are responding post-Covid crisis to the shared wish to meet again, kanohi ki te kanohi. We aim to plan carefully and keep things simple: quality, meaningful input; opportunity to share and dialogue; comfortable venue; low cost.
Under the theme “Seeds of Unity, Fruits of Hope,” the forum will provide a rare opportunity to gather, learn, and kōrero as people of shared and diverse religious understandings and practices (interfaith), recognising these as a central dimension of personal and social life in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will bring people together from all over Aotearoa to strengthen both longstanding and new relationships through listening, dialogue, and shared experience. Inspired by the whakataukī “Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai – Nurture the seed and it will blossom,” the gathering recognises from the outset that its true strength lies in the wisdom, traditions, and lived experience of its participants, trusting that small seeds of understanding can grow into lasting hope for ourselves, our communities, and our shared future.
Under the theme “Seeds of Unity, Fruits of Hope,” the forum will provide a rare opportunity to gather, learn, and kōrero as people of shared and diverse religious understandings and practices (interfaith), recognising these as a central dimension of personal and social life in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will bring people together from all over Aotearoa to strengthen both longstanding and new relationships through listening, dialogue, and shared experience. Inspired by the whakataukī “Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai – Nurture the seed and it will blossom,” the gathering recognises from the outset that its true strength lies in the wisdom, traditions, and lived experience of its participants, trusting that small seeds of understanding can grow into lasting hope for ourselves, our communities, and our shared future.
Neighbour's Song - Reflecting on the Power of Interfaith
(This was offered to our organising committee, by a member of the Waikato Interfaith Council, and is shared here in a spirit warmth and heart. An accompanying statement from the composers, Robert and Rohbot, says, "We find that quite a few people have enjoyed this song and might want to use it for themselves or others. We are gratified that our small efforts have been received by others as food for love, curiosity and tolerance. Especially so if it involves love towards others who do not share exactly the same beliefs as ourselves. It is our hope that the words of the chorus - But interfaith is where the healing starts; Not by merging paths but opening hearts - draws people towards aroha (love), curiosity and tolerance towards those of different faiths.")
Neighbour's Song - Reflecting on the Power of Interfaith
(This was offered to our organising committee, by a member of the Waikato Interfaith Council, and is shared here in a spirit warmth and heart. An accompanying statement from the composers, Robert and Rohbot, says, "We find that quite a few people have enjoyed this song and might want to use it for themselves or others. We are gratified that our small efforts have been received by others as food for love, curiosity and tolerance. Especially so if it involves love towards others who do not share exactly the same beliefs as ourselves. It is our hope that the words of the chorus - But interfaith is where the healing starts; Not by merging paths but opening hearts - draws people towards aroha (love), curiosity and tolerance towards those of different faiths.")
Dunedin - View from the venue carpark at 14 Fenton Crescent.
Details
Details
Venue
Venue
Dunedin - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - 14 Fenton Crescent, St Clair.
Dunedin - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - 14 Fenton Crescent, St Clair.
Accommodation & Transport
Accommodation & Transport
People will need to organise their own accommodation and transport - our small committee doesn't have the capacity for that. A search of web-sites reveals a wealth of reasonable possibilities. (Airport shuttles are around $25)
People will need to organise their own accommodation and transport - our small committee doesn't have the capacity for that. A search of web-sites reveals a wealth of reasonable possibilities. (Airport shuttles are around $25)
Once we're underway, we believe we'll be able to call on local personal transport to help out as needed. Especially, when transferring to the other location for Sunday afternoon.
Once we're underway, we believe we'll be able to call on local personal transport to help out as needed. Especially, when transferring to the other location for Sunday afternoon.
Conference Fee
Conference Fee
We're only beginning to work out the budget details - tentatively aiming, with the generous support of some faith communities, for the conference fee to be $50 per person, including dinner.
We're only beginning to work out the budget details - tentatively aiming, with the generous support of some faith communities, for the conference fee to be $50 per person, including dinner.
Optional Informal Gathering from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. on Friday 12th.
Optional Informal Gathering from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. on Friday 12th.
Mihi Whakatau/Welcome at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday 13th.
Mihi Whakatau/Welcome at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday 13th.
Poroporoaki/Farewell finishes at 3.30 p.m. on Sunday 14th.
Poroporoaki/Farewell finishes at 3.30 p.m. on Sunday 14th.
Individual presentations/workshops offered already are:
Individual presentations/workshops offered already are:
Keynote Address by the Race Relations Commissioner - Dr. Melissa Derby (confirmed)
Keynote Address by the Children's Commissioner - Jane Searle (confirmed)
Religious Studies in Aotearoa NZ Schools: What's happening? What's changing?
The Climate of our Souls: Faith in an age of ecological despair
From Ecological Despair to Confidence and Hope
We are all one family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam)
Building a framework of secular ethics to facilitate harmony within and between community groups
How Diverse are We, Really? A historical look at religious diversity in Aotearoa NZ
Weaving Spirituality in our Professional Careers
Spirituality in Healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand: Findings from a National Study
Faith Communities and Community Resilience: Building authentic interfaith partnerships while responding to challenging local and global events.
Nurturing Growth: Building Resilience and Hope. Strategies for developing a resilient mindset, managing setbacks, and maintaining hope.
Exploring Sacred Spaces in Auckland. Auckland Inter-Faith Council sharing 9 years of the how and what of this popular event.
Personal Revelation and the Future of Spiritual Knowledge - Reclaiming Personal Revelation in the Modern Age.
Please note, this web-site is the 'go-to' for latest information on the 2027 National Interfaith Forum in Dunedin - it initially holds only basic information, with quite a few gaps, but keep checking back as we'll continue to populate details as they are confirmed.
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