Bahá'í New Zealand: Profiles of Bahá'ís

SIONE TU'ITAHI has had a varied career as a journalist, educator, writer and health worker, in Tonga and New Zealand. After two decades in broadcast and print journalism, he has now moved into education and public health roles, dividing his time between responsibilities with Massey University and the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand. He has been a Bahá'í for more than 30 years.

Commenting on what first attracted him to the Bahá'í Faith, Sione said:

"Its teachings are logical, scientific and yet very spiritual, applicable and relevant to the world's current conditions; its principles are universal and inclusive of other major religions, acknowledging their common origin — God."

Sione credits his parents and grandparents with developing both his thirst for education and for his spiritual outlook. For example, he says:"My grandparents had a great influence on me during my formative years. The Rev Kamipeli and Mele Taufa were my mother's parents. Grandfather Kamipeli was a minister of the Free Wesleyan church. His humility and dedication to his call indelibly impressed my heart. I also treasure those childhood years that I spent poring through books — including the "Bible" — that lined his parish study. Grandmother Mele taught us grandchildren how to read in Tongan — and English! I cherished her bedtime stories that introduced me to Tongan history, arts, medicine, myths and legends and other such forms of traditional knowledge."

He goes on to explain:

"The greatest influence and driving force in my life is the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. For instance, His tenet that all religions come from the same source — God — has removed my prejudice towards followers of other faiths. His teaching that 'the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens,' removed my racial prejudice against other races. His principle about science and religion, both gifts from God, to be in harmony and complementary, as the two wings that carry forward human civilization, reconciles inner conflicts in my soul and ever-inquisitive mind. It lifts my quest for knowledge to higher spheres of understanding, and inculcates an unwavering certitude within me of the dynamic coherence of the material and the spiritual dimensions.

The Bahá'í Faith, Sione says, "has enabled me to keep a balance between providing for my physical needs and sustaining my spiritual wellbeing, to serve my family while contributing to the wellbeing of the rest of society. It also gives me a blue print on cooperating with my wife as equal partners to raise our family, and to serve society."

With Tupou Halaholo, to whom Sione has been happily married for more than 20 years, he has three sons — Ridvan, Siosaia and Benjamin. Ridvan and Saia are university students — and rap musicians. Benjamin is at primary school.

Sione's work centres on service to the Pacific Islands community in NewZealand. After managing (part-time) a Pacific team at the Auckland Regional Public Health Service of the Auckland District Health Board for six years, Sione is now a Health Promotion Strategist and Pacific Advisor at the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand.

In a voluntary capacity, Sione participates in the Aotearoa Tongan Education Association, discussion forums, and radio programmes to help in lifting the overall standard of life for Tongans and other Pacific peoples. Within the Bahá'í community, he served for many years as a member of the "Auxiliary Board", an advisory role focused on strengthening the community.

Before coming to New Zealand, Sione had a career in the media in Tonga. His experience as a reporter, editor and broadcaster later led to involvement in the training of journalists and helping to set up a national media association.

"The Bahá'í Faith has broadened my outlook on life, making me a global citizen who wants to express his love for God through serving humanity," he says.