The Anglican Church's Climate Commissioner and leaders of traditional Polynesian voyaging societies, received a blessing from Archbishop Sione Ulu'ilakepa as their plans to voyage around Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand carrying a message of climate action unfolds for the Anglican Church's climate advocacy in 2026. 

As Archbishop Sione opened the "Wansolwara (One Ocean, One People) Voyage for the Pacific and the Planet" Talanoa in Suva, Fiji from 27-30 July 2025 in prayer, he referred back to the vision he laid out in his 2024 charge to General Synod Te Hīnota Whānui - placing ocean advocacy squarely within the call of Christ to care for Creation and our neighbours.

"We need to take action to address the root causes of ocean degradation and to care for oceans as stewards of creation...[and]... we must confront the environmental challenges threatening our oceans and take responsibility for our role in causing them." he said.

"As members of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example. By fostering unity amidst diversity, committing to mission and service, advocating for environmental stewardship, and promoting reconciliation and healing, we can be agents of positive change in our communities and beyond."

July's gathering of master navigators, Pacific voyaging societies, and climate advocates discussed a plan to take twin-hulled, wind-powered vakas to visit selected coastal communities around the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia next year, as floating classrooms for climate education, carrying a message of hope and mobilising support for ocean protection.

At the same time, vaka voyagers will pray for all those that suffer from the impact of climate change, share faith and celebrate the revival of traditional Polynesian wayfinding knowledge and skills with those that come on board.

"We need a change of attitude towards the oceans," said Fe'iloakitau Kaho Tevi.

"We need to be less exploitative and more collaborative. The vaka are not just carrying the message to stop deep sea mining and end high seas pollution, but to show young people an alternative way of being on the sea, that looks back into our "gentler on the sea" traditional way of seafaring and bring it back for a new generation."

"In the Pacific we have been too focused on what the sea can give us, and we have misused resources and disregarded the sea. Even when we go for food, we have taken too much. We need to shift from exploitation to harvesting."

The vaka voyage planned for 2026 will share advocacy on:

• "A healthy ocean is essential for a healthy climate."

• A call to join the Fossil Fuel Free Pacific campaign and back the shift toward 100% Renewable Energy.

• A Call to governments to develop 100% Ocean Management policies, beginning with designated Marine Protected Areas covering 30% of countries' Exclusive Economic Zones and 30% of the high seas.

Speaking at the voyagers' gathering, Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) General Secretary Rev James Bhagwan also voiced the PCC's support for the ‘Wansolwara—One Ocean, One People,’ sail plan, and affirmed it will feed into wider ecumenical and regional goals to shift global policy on the oceans.

Climate Commissioner Fe'iloakitau Kaho Tevi believes that Wansolwara 'One Ocean, One People' sail plan offers the three tikanga Church a unique opportunity to step up as a church formed across Te Moana nui a Kiwa.

"We need to give thanks for how much the ocean gives to us in terms of life, in terms of sustenance. Our role is to be guardians of the ocean so that our ocean can give life, sustain us and sustain future generations."

To join a list of people keen to know more about the 2026 climate advocacy voyage, please send your details to the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia Climate Commissioner's Office at: ccc@anglicanchurch.org.nz