The Anglican Archbishop of Melanesia says the church is being called on more often to inform communities of important social and health issues.
Archbishop David Vunagi is in Auckland for the Pacific Conference of Churches.
He says in recent years, the church has been called on to mediate between government and the community.
Archbishop Vunagi says for example the role of the church in reconciliation during the ethnic tensions in Solomon Islands from 1998 to 2003 was crucial.
And he says the church is also stepping up when it comes to health issues.
"We have co-ordinator of HIV. It's the women, the mothers union in the church that seems to play a leading role in educating youth, in educating women about the dangers of HIV so I think the church is playing an active role in many social issues."
The Anglican Archbishop of Melanesia, Bishop David Vunagi.
