Confirmed in 2025 for his PhD, Willie Iererua understands the nuance and tension between faith, culture and adaptation. A Kiribati migrant and pastor, his thesis will explore ‘how Kiribati migrants in New Zealand have adapted to their new environment as they navigate new cultures and life transitions’.
The Republic of Kiribati is comprised of 32 atolls, islands and a raised coral reef, and located in Micronesia, a sub region in Oceania (the central Pacific Ocean). Rising sea levels is the biggest factor in migration of I-Kiribati people, and along with several others, “including overurbanisation, new education/work opportunities and financial pressure,” says Willie.
A common experience for I-Kiribati migrants is getting lost and drifting at sea for days or even weeks at a time until they reach land. These stories are close to home for Willie and many of his family members. “I’m interested to see how the skill of living from the sea and wayfinding from the stars and water can inform adaptive discipleship”, he says.
Migrants face many challenges, two of which stand out to Willie. “Firstly, the accessibility of migration through custom and via regulations is quite limited for I-Kiribati people moving to New Zealand. Secondly, once they move here, developing financial stability is very challenging, especially when entering minimum-wage jobs with limited access to social security and opportunities to develop qualifications.”
The impact of these challenges on their faith journey is what Willie hopes to discover within his research: “Without having a substantiated answer, my hunch is that the struggle has made the existing faith of migrants more resilient, but the experience of belonging to a church family that supports their faith development is distant,” he says.
It’s about helping faith grow where life shifts.
Adaptation is a clear quality every migrant possesses, and being able to face the challenges with dignity, support and respect can be the key to set them up in their new home. Willie’s research will give voice to the positive and negative experiences of migrants and “will hopefully help disciple-makers to walk with people through change with more understanding and grace,” he says.
For Willie, his passion for this research comes from a personal standpoint. “I’ve seen how being a disciple of Jesus can either struggle or flourish in that space,” he says. “I’m developing a practical framework for “adaptive discipleship” by weaving together lived experiences and theological reflection through a narrative method called Te Maroro—a conversation.”
In 2013 Willie completed his Ministry and Theology degree through Avondale. “I have the best memories from my years in Cooranbong,” he says. Now based in Aukland, Aotearoa New Zealand, with his four boys and wife Beatrice, Willie serves as a pastor in the North Island. “I love anything that blends people and disciple-making—whether it’s mentoring young pastors, designing ministry resources, or exploring how culture and discipleship intersect,” says Willie.
“I hope it offers a culturally grounded and practical model of discipleship that churches and ministry leaders can use across diverse communities,” he says. “It is immediately relevant for migrants, but can apply to anyone navigating change. It’s about helping faith grow where life shifts.”
I hope it offers a culturally grounded and practical model of discipleship…
Personally, Willie hopes to grow as a practitioner and disciple, “I want to develop tools and insights that genuinely serve the church, while also learning from the stories of I-Kiribati people and others along the way.”
His deep hope for Kiribati and other Pacific Island migrants? “That they are seen as adaptive/migrant experts who specialise in contextualising faith and culture and contribute towards the migrant success of minority communities like theirs and many others.”
Amongst his research Willie is currently learning the Baritone brass instrument at his home church. “I can play most notes…except the ones that surprise me.”
