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Story: Pacific churches in New Zealand

Ministerial censure

Video file

The power of the minister within Pacific church communities was highlighted in the 2006 feature film Sione's wedding. In this scene the main characters in the film are brought before the minister to be censured for bad behaviour. Their lowly status is reinforced by having to sit on the floor.

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South Pacific Pictures

Reference: Sione’s wedding [videorecording]. Producers, John Barnett, Chloe Smith; director, Chris Graham. Auckland: South Pacific Pictures, 2005

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How to cite this page

Cluny Macpherson, Pacific churches in New Zealand – Programmes and services, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/26724/ministerial-censure (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Cluny Macpherson, published 31 May 2011.