What happens when three women - a Jew, Christian and Muslim, meet on a bus? A deep exchange on feminism and faith ensues to foster understanding of each other's cultures - fueled by copious amounts of laughter, snacks and scarf-wearing tips. Produced by Kadambari Raghukumar

A year ago it was at an 'iftar', the Muslim evening communal meal, that Petra Zaleski a Vicar, met Naomi Johnson of the Progressive Jewish denomination. The church service and iftar was organized by Petra's church as a gesture of solidarity with Auckland's Muslim community in the wake of the attacks on March 15 2019 in Christchurch.

Exactly a year later Petra, Naomi and Jenny Janif from the Muslim community decided to come together again, but this time it was on a bus.

The interfaith event, Multiple Blessings, took place on a sunny Sunday in Auckland and was organized by these women of the three Abrahamic faiths to mark International Women's Day and the anniversary of the Christchurch shooting.

"I was floored by the response in our church last year...just to see Muslim whanau and our church members come together to mourn the tragedy that had occurred in Christchurch. When Naomi called me few months ago about the interfaith event I was very quick to say yes, it was an opportunity I couldn't resist" Petra says.

Before the bus sets off Naomi encourages the women to sit next to someone they don't know. "Otherwise the point of today is defeated" she says.

The peals of laughter and chatter that shortly follows, revolves a lot around scarves, food, politics and cultural customs. It's a pleasant cacophony that rings through the bus. But for this group of women the bus trip isn't just a joy ride. It's about coming together as change-makers and advocates for peace and understanding - an understanding that is arrived at through breaking stereotypes and increasing awareness.

A Japanese lady sits next to a new convert to Judaism. I see the Tongan Christian lady sitting next to the South African Muslim of Malay origin. The Uighur former refugee sits next to a Christian lady from Auckland; the latter says she's more Buddhist in her practice than anything else. Meanwhile I find a seat next to Petra.

Petra seems an unlikely Vicar with her large retro glasses, winged eyeliner and tattoos across her forearms and chest. As a teen she was raised Catholic by Polish and English parents. Looking at things critically seems to come naturally to her, thanks to her mother's journalistic background…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details