50 years

The leaders of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Tonga and Samoa together with Australia and New Zealand met in Wellington from 5th-7th August 1971. This was the first South Pacific Forum meeting.

At the time, the only regional organisation established was the South Pacific Commission which was created in 1947.

The leaders of the newly independent island nations understood the external influences that existed in that regional body, which included colonial powers. It was clear another forum was needed.

Today, representatives from all over the country gathered at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby to commemorate the day the Methodist Church and London missionaries united to form the United Church in 1968.

With the theme “Past, Present and Future, In God We Trust”, the Sir John Guise stadium Indoor Complex was packed to its full capacity, with some church goers having no choice but to sit outside.

The combined United Church service also saw representatives from the Australian Methodist Church and the British Methodist Church.