Tino Taonga: A Vision for Our Movement

The Salvation Army across New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa holds a deep conviction that our children and young people are created by God to be seen, heard and included. Their presence is not only valued but vital to the life and mission of our movement. Lieutenant Michal Baken reports on Next Gen’s plan for 2026.

Scripture reminds us that our children and young people are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14). In te ao Māori, they are born with mana; in Fiji, they are a blessing; in Tonga, they are tapuaki (blessings) and koloa’ia (treasures); and in Samoa, they are born with fa’aaloalo—honour and reverence woven into the fabric of family and village life. In our movement, they are essential. The next generations are Tino Taonga—precious treasures.

Tino Taonga as an idea

In 2024, The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters released a ‘Theology of Children and Young People’, describing the Bible’s perspective on young people and identifying six key principles which can be drawn from Scripture:

1. Young people are created in the image of God and each individual is unique. We must acknowledge and interact accordingly with them.
2. Young people are a gift from God and so parents and the community should value young people and want the best for their future.
3. Young people are developing as they progress through formative stages to mature as adults, and so adults should coach young people in the right way.
4. Young people are dependent and need nurturing, care and attention for their optimum development. While they are dependent, they are potentially vulnerable to abuse, exploitation or being overlooked.
5. Young people are models of faith since they can be more attuned to spiritual matters. As such, they can be an example and teach adults to uncomplicate their faith and limit distractions, fulfilling the command to, ‘Be still and know that I am God,’ (Psalm 46:10).
6. Young people are partners in mission because the priesthood of all believers is not based on age but faith, therefore they must be given the opportunities and space to contribute through word and deed as prophets and priests, fulfilling their own God-given purposes

Through a process of consultation and reflection, the national Next Gen team considered this kaupapa in our unique context. We were deeply moved by the worth of the next generation—not just as individuals, but as vital contributors to our movement.

Their value, voice and presence remind us of our calling to treasure them as integral participants in The Salvation Army today, not just in the future.

The next generations are Tino Taonga.

Tino Taonga as a dream

As we treasure tamariki and rangatahi as Tino Taonga now, we dream of a future where young people truly are active participants in every part of our movement.

• Where in our corps and mission centres, tamariki and rangatahi are part of the rhythm of worship, ministry and leadership. They preach, pray, serve and guide—not as guests, but as partners in mission.
• A future where in our leadership teams, people under 25 are fully included and are offering wisdom, perspective and faith that helps guide decisions and direction.
• Where in our social mission, young voices help design the very services that support them. Their lived experience brings insight that strengthens our response.

Tino Taonga as an action

Many Corps (churches) are taking up the challenge and making space for tamariki and rangatahi as Tino Taonga. Oamaru are making space for them in different ways, including family movie nights, youth group and an Aspire programme in a local school. They encourage their rangatahi to lead and take ownership—including letting them drive the direction of their Bible study.

Watch more of Oamaru’s journey on our website: www.nextgen.salvationarmy.org.nz/news/young-hearts-big-impact-tino-taonga New Plymouth Salvation Army embodies Tino Taonga by making space for all rangatahi. Auxiliary Captain Maryanne Shearman, the corps and community mission officer, says, that they are finding kids who have tried other spaces don’t necessarily fit in. ‘We have the crazy dream of being a group that can receive and give them a place to belong.’

Tino Taonga as an invitation

Tino Taonga isn’t just for tamariki, rangatahi and the people who work with them. It is an invitation for every person connected to The Salvation Army to see the next generations as precious treasures.

Come with us the journey as we:

• treasure young people;
• align our hearts, hands and habits with this truth; and
• become a people where children and young people are seen, heard and included as they are—here and now—as God intended.