This year marks my first year as a Dunedin resident, having moved from the hustle and bustle of Auckland city, known for its peak traffic, population growth, landmarks such as the Sky Tower and harbour bridge, and the expansion of new housing developments upwards and outwards.
The flurry of activity is ubiquitous, from its stadiums hosting various sports teams, airport congestion, multiple shopping malls, parking headaches and a jam-packed calendar of events.
While the City of Sails may not be on a grand scale, like Melbourne or New York, it is, in layman’s terms, New Zealand’s busiest city by far.
Leaving behind the urban challenges of Auckland, Dunedin offers a strikingly different lifestyle, a serene contrast to the hustle and bustle.
The city’s unique offerings, amid numerous cultural events, include the preservation of historical heritage buildings, colder weather, hilly terrain and the early closing of cafes, which have introduced me to a different way of life.
The local treats, such as the cheese roll and onion sausage, uniquely made in the deep South, add to the city’s intriguing local culture and satisfy my appetite.
What surprised me most about Dunedin is its growing ethnic diversity. My interactions with bus 37 to Concord, local takeaways, the barber and the friendly dentist have introduced me to people from migrant communities.
On a broader scale, the celebration of cultural events such as Moana Nui, Diwali, the Chinese cultural festival and the visible acknowledgement of cultural language weeks reflects a growing acknowledgement and respect for diversity.
This trend has significant implications for the church environment in Dunedin, as it necessitates a shift towards more inclusive and diverse communities.
While Dunedin is steeped in church tradition and history, it is concerning that an ageing population predominantly supports our church congregations.
My visit to one church was met with closed doors, because it had recently closed. Many churches have been dissolved, with members relocating over the years.
The wisdom, stories and experiences of the elderly members are precious and need to be shared with the next generation of believers.
The evolving church landscape in Dunedin will significantly benefit from the presence and contribution of ethnic communities. After all, the majority of Christians worldwide are from non-Western contexts, and for many cultures, religion is at the heart of their cultural world views.
The inclusion of these communities can bring fresh perspectives, new energy and a broader understanding of faith, enriching the church environment and fostering growth.
Whether through the presence of migrant communities or the visibility of students during the academic year, the flourishing of local churches, to a certain extent, requires a mutual working together of the long-term local faithful with the newer cohorts.
In various multicultural churches, members from ethnic groups worship alongside traditional adherents, creating a blend of the old and the new as they sing traditional religious songs alongside the rhythmic and lively cultural hymns of their ethnic counterparts.
Leadership roles such as pastoral leaders and elders are shared, fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect.
For instance, in First Church of Otago, Pakeha, Cook Island, Samoan and Asian believers worship harmoniously alongside one another.
This church embodies a harmonious blend of cultures and traditions, with each group contributing to the church’s vibrant and diverse community. The spirit of multicultural fellowship is also visible in Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal and evangelical movements.
The mono-ethnic churches, such as the Chinese Church, Fijian, Tongan and Samoan, to name a few, bring their own unique stance as transplanted communities, expressing a faith in their own cultural vernacular and style.
These churches often serve as a cultural hub for their respective communities, providing a space where they can express their faith in a way that is familiar and comfortable.
The ecumenical spirit is crucial to the prophetic voice of the church as we continue our journey in the 21st century.
A well-known Pacific theologian, Kenape Faletoese, shared that the nature of his Samoan church was "very colourful, like a rainbow, and richly flavoured, like a fruitcake".
Using this metaphor to fit the purpose of this article, I would say that inclusive and diverse Dunedin churches would be more colourful and richly flavoured ... though I would add as a personal preference, like a chocolate cake.
■ Dr Terry Pouono is Pacific lecturer in theology, University of Otago.
