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Samoan churchgoers have been divided in a bitter legal battle for control of their assets, including a multi-million-dollar property in south Auckland.
About 40 of the 85 Samoan Assemblies of God in New Zealand (SAOG) A churches are said to have aligned with the Assemblies of God in New Zealand, which is claiming the Pacific church comes under its authority.
In a series of civil actions being played out in the High Court at Auckland, the SAOG is asserting its independence.
The fight has seen Assemblies of God New Zealand (AOGNZ) place a caveat on the $3 million Samani Pulepule centre in Robertson Rd, Mangere.
Lawyer Olinda Woodroffe, who represents the Samoan churches, is seeking a high court order declaring the SAOG has never been a member of the AOGNZ
The lawsuits have stemmed from a decision two years ago by the SAOG to formalise its structure by filing a constitution to become SAOG.
SAOG became an incorporated society in 2005, after 40 years in New Zealand. The churches remain under the leadership of superintendent Samani Pulepule and have around 10,000 worshippers throughout the country.
But AOGNZ, with up to 35,000 members, claim the Samoan churches fall under its constitution.
Iliafi Esera, assistant superintendent of Assemblies of God New Zealand, has described the dispute as a "separation" involving the Samoan Fellowship of the Assemblies of God movement in NZ.
"A number of Samoan local churches have sought to establish a new structure of their own," Mr Esera said.
However, court documents deny there is a Samoan Fellowship under the Assemblies of God New Zealand.
"The SAOG never had the intention, nor did they hold the belief, that they were operating as a regional fellowship under the AOGNZ constitution," according to papers filed in the High Court.
"The SAOG always believed that they were operating autonomously, but in a co-operative relationship, with AOGNZ."
Mrs Woodroffe said the SAOG had been operating as a church with its own structures, assets and property since in the 1960s, when migrants established the first Samoan Assembly of God church in Grey Lynn.
Pastor Pulepule, now aged 78, has led the SAOG in New Zealand since the late 1960s.
Samoan congregations paid more than $1.5 million to build the centre in his name at Robertson Rd, which is now the subject of a caveat.
"When they built their hall in Mangere, not one cent came from New Zealand Assemblies of God," said Mrs Woodroffe.
"A lot of money" in church accounts was also involved in the claim but the building was most important to worshippers, she said.
The AOGNZ is claiming an interest in the Mangere hall and other church property through a trust set up to act on behalf of the Samoan Assemblies of God in the early 90s.
Mrs Woodroffe said SAOG relied on the advice of lawyers acting for AOGNZ for the drafting of the trust deed, and the church was not advised to seek independent advice.
She said AOGNZ was using bullying tactics to split the Samoan churches under a "divide and rule" strategy.
"They are dividing the Samoan community, using and abusing their power."
"I cannot rule out racism, in my opinion," Mrs Woodroffe said.
It is understood the SAOG wrote to all churches asking them to withdraw their membership if they wanted to come under the AOGNZ. None replied.
