Tongan psychologist to lead Methodist Church safeguarding reforms

In a groundbreaking response to New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, the Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has appointed Tongan educational psychologist Sonia Pope to a newly created national role: Director of Safeguarding.

This appointment marks a pivotal moment for the church, signifying a committed shift towards transparency, accountability, and healing within faith communities.

Amid the investigation into historical abuse and neglect of children, young people, and vulnerable adults in both state and faith-based care, Pope highlights the church’s proactive stance: “They are doing what a lot of other churches have not done yet,” acknowledging responsibility for past hurts, apologising, and taking preventative action, she tells John Pulu on PMN Tonga.

“This role initially came up because of the Royal Abuse Inquiry,” Pope says.

Pope will lead the church’s efforts to embed a culture of protection and accountability, from training ministers and church leaders to developing safeguarding frameworks across congregations, schools, and institutions such as Wesley College.

A former Wesley College student, William Wilson, who experienced physical and mental abuse while in care, shares his insights in a previous PMN article, “I’m learning to accept that I’m going to be this way for the rest of my life, but I want to make sure it never happens to anyone else again.”

Reflecting on why the abuse happened, Wilson says, "They didn't know what to do with me,” highlighting the systemic failures that left vulnerable children unprotected.

Wilson’s experience shows the urgent need for lasting change within the church’s approach to safeguarding.

Pope’s leadership aims to transform institutional attitudes and practices so trauma protection becomes an integral and sustained part of church life, not just a reactive measure.

Photo /careers.education.govt.nz

“My role really is to support our ministers, church leaders, and the church itself to ensure they’re protecting the vulnerable,” she explains, emphasising the role involves building trust and confidence, while upskilling leaders to respond to situations involving risk or harm.

The role has the potential to set a standard for other faith organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region.

With a background in education, youth wellbeing, and clinical psychology, including work with Le Va, a Pasifika organisation dedicated to achieving optimal health and wellbeing, Pope brings both professional expertise and deep personal conviction to the role.

“It’s not every day you can combine your passion for psychology and church,” Pope says. “She also emphasises the significance of the role for Pacific communities

“For us as Pacific people, the church is often our first point of connection,” so if we want it to stay strong, we need to make sure it’s a safe place for our next generation.”

Watch Sonia Pope's full interview below.

According to United Methodist Insight, Tonga has the highest percentage of Methodists/Wesleyans among all countries, with 46.1 percent of its population identifying as such.

Despite the scale and sensitivity of the work ahead, Pope remains grounded in her faith and sense of duty.

“I do have my work cut out for me, but by coming to church, you lead by faith and not by sight,” she quotes from scripture.

“My loyalty will always lie within the community and the need, and the most vulnerable.”