The Rev Mua Strickson-Pua’s name is well known to people in Pacific music and poetry circles. sPanz caught up with him to hear about his hip-hop style of ministry.
Mr Strickson-Pua, or Rev Mua as he is known to Auckland’s Nui FM listeners, has been a Presbyterian minister for 14 years, and music, poetry and performance are his tools of the trade.
Whether it is doing the gig guide on Nui FM, talking about race relations with journalist Kim Hill on Radio New Zealand, supporting young Pacific musicians, being Pacifika magazine’s poetry reviewer, giving lectures, or doing a regular radio commentary for Sydney-based Pacific Island people, he is always busy.
Clearly someone with a passion for doing things differently, Mr Strickson-Pua says he is always “looking for new ways to engage”. This recently included being the spiritual adviser for the successful “Brotown” cartoon series.
Mr Strickson-Pua and his family have just released a Pacifika Hip Hop Poetry CD; he and another Presbyterian minister, the Rev Ola Tofilau, have also shared their experiences in a short film, “Children of the Migration”, which explores the impact of Pacific Island culture on New Zealand identity in the 21st century.
“By serving our people, we are serving God,” he says. “It’s not about a privatised knowledge power base – it’s about communal collective knowledge.”
Mr Strickson-Pua’s passion and energy is obvious. Even over the phone, the enthusiasm in his voice is clear. He changes the subject regularly as he recalls a number of stories associated with his ministry.
After 22 years writing and performing his own poetry, Mr Strickson-Pua expects to publish his first book of poetry this year. While he has published work as part of various poetry collections, this will be his first book. He says: “I do social doco poetry – it’s a documentary of my life and experience.”