People group profile · PG018332
The Fwai of New Caledonia
The Fwai of New Caledonia, numbering about 2,300 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are a Kanak people of Hienghene on New Caledonia's Grande Terre, descended from Austronesian Lapita voyagers who arrived roughly 3,000 years ago, organized through clan chiefdoms centered on yam ceremonial exchange.
They are an indigenous people in the New Caledonia people cluster of the Pacific Islander Peoples. Their primary religion is Roman Catholicism, and they primarily speak Fwâi.
Fast facts
- Country
- New Caledonia
- Population
- 2,300
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- New Caledonia
- Primary language
- Fwâi (fwa)
- Primary religion
- Roman Catholicism
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- No Known Evangelicals
- GSEC
- No Evangelicals, Churches or Resources
- Lostness priority
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Region
- Melanesia, Oceania
- Location
- North province: east coast, Hienghène; Panié to Pindache and lower valleys
Where they live
Gospel status
The Fwai are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, there are no evangelical Christians or churches among this people group and there is no access to evangelical print, audio, visual or human resources.
- Congregations exist No
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Fwai
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Roman Catholicism · Christianity
85% adherents
Primary language
Fwâi · Austronesian family
78% speak Fwâi
Gospel resources in Fwâi
- Bible not available
- JESUS Film not available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings not available
- Audio resources not available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Fwai
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
Know something we don't? Submit updates to IMB Global Research.