Our Story
Salt Church, led by Sio and Sarah Vaelua, is part of the Assemblies of God and was established in 1927. With a rich legacy of faith and family, Salt is a place where generations and cultures are celebrated. Embracing intentional community, our pace as a church is slower – one that may not have all the programs, and fast happenings that everything around us has – but rather, one that refreshes, that notices, and that enables us to be formed in the image of Christ. Grounded in deep spiritual formation and generosity, Salt Church extends its impact locally and globally, embodying Christ's love through giving and missional living. Committed to reconciliation, Salt endeavors to honor the covenant of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, journeying towards healing and partnership with Tangata Whenua. Above all, we are a family of faith, and we hope that’s what you find here. Nau mai!
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
At Salt Church, we recognize the covenantal nature of Te Tiriti and its significance as the foundation for welcoming many nations to Aotearoa. As a church, we are committed to the journey of learning and applying Kawenatatanga (Covenantship) o Te Tiriti o Waitangi into our life together. This means honoring its principles by working toward healing, restoration, and reconciliation between Māori and the body of Christ.
We affirm that Māori are made in the image of God and are created to thrive as Māori. This shapes our desire to partner with whānau, hapū, and iwi in meaningful ways, support the establishment of more faith communities on marae, and nurture expressions of faith that reflect the richness of Te Ao Māori. We strive to push back against assimilation and instead esteem tangata whenua to their rightful place in Aotearoa.
Salt is committed to being a place where covenant is honored and lived out. By reflecting on the promises of Te Tiriti, we aim to be a community that listens, learns, and embodies the restorative heart of God.
If you are unsure where to start your journey of understanding Te Tiriti and its connection to the church, please get in touch, He waka eke noa—We are all in this together.