Visitors from Noumea strengthen pioneering efforts in Tahiti
In early 2025, a group of youth from Noumea travelled to French Polynesia to assist the growing efforts of the Bahá’í community in Tahiti and Moorea. Their visit, held in close collaboration with Counsellor Kirk Johnson and the Administrative Committee of French Polynesia, was part of an ongoing pattern of exchange and accompaniment between the clusters of Greater Noumea and Tahiti–Moorea, and it offered a welcome boost to the friends labouring to build vibrant communities across the islands.
Among those encouraged by the support were the two pioneering families from New Zealand, serving in Tahiti—Michael Vaughan and Yvonne Williamson*, and Astrid and Amir Bunne-Namdari—whose dedicated efforts over recent years have helped lay a strong foundation for local capacity building. The visitors not only provided practical assistance, such as tutoring study circles and participating in children’s classes, but also helped to reinforce patterns of systematic reflection and planning.
The visit followed a sequence of collaborative exchanges: Tahitian friends had previously travelled to Noumea in 2024 to strengthen their understanding of the institute process. This recent return visit marked another step forward, as youth from New Caledonia joined activities across the cluster—taking part in study circles, home visits, community gatherings, and fireside conversations.
In one particularly joyful initiative, a four-day Book 1 intensive study campaign was held at the home of Michael Vaughan and Yvonne Williamson, bringing together friends from several neighbourhoods. The youth helped tutor and support participants, creating an uplifting atmosphere that inspired further acts of service.
Pioneer families from New Zealand and Australia work together with visitors from Noumea to study and reflect on strengthening the institute process in Tahiti.
With the encouragement of the visiting team, and supported closely by the pioneering families, the local friends began to develop stronger habits of study and reflection. Themes from Book 2 and Unit 2 of Book 12 were explored together to build capacity for meaningful spiritual conversation. These spaces also served to deepen the understanding of the role of the training institute and the vision of the Universal House of Justice, particularly in the context of regions at an early stage of development.
In Moorea, the visitors had the opportunity to meet a family newly interested in the Faith, leading to the start of a Book 1 study circle with local youth, a sign of the organic growth occurring as more individuals respond to the call for spiritual education.
Reflecting on the experience, the visiting youth remarked on the spirit of receptivity among the Tahitian friends and the importance of continued accompaniment. As the community in Tahiti strives to move forward, it becomes ever clearer that in the Divine Plan small steps eventually lead to significant progress in its unfoldment.
This article draws on a report prepared by the visiting youth team from Greater Noumea, New Caledonia, following their visit to the Tahiti–Moorea cluster in French Polynesia from mid-January to early March 2025. The report was kindly shared with the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand by the Bunne-Namdari family.
*Because of serious health needs, Yvonne and Michael have recently had to return to New Zealand indefinitely.
Feature photo: Astrid Bunne-Namdari and Yvonne Williamson, pioneers from New Zealand, were among a group of women partaking in study and reflection during a visit of friends from the Greater Noumea cluster.
