This weekend Samoan representatives from 25 Auckland parishes will meet in south Auckland to discuss political parties and Christian values.
Some commentators are saying this will be a litmus test for Labour support.
South Auckland electorates are traditionally Labour thanks in large part to church-going Pacific Islanders.
The meeting is a response to small group of influential Pacific Island clergy declaring, at the Manurewa flea market, last Sunday that they would switch their support from the Labour Party to the National Party.
The ministers involved have come under fire on Pacific Island social media. They have been criticised for not consulting their parishes.
A Seventh Day Adventist minister, Teleiai Edwin Puni, said he and five other Seventh Day Adventist ministers – all recognised in the Pacific community – met National MP Cam Calder on Sunday.
“If we are to defend our Christian values and build a brighter future for New Zealand families, we need to engage our Pacific people and vote National,” Puni said.
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