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Our organisation
What is APW?
APW is a national organisation which has the distinction of having special consultative status as a Non-Governmental Organisation attending the United Nations. The significance of this new expression of global mission is expressed more fully in the pending ECOSOC report.
APW is actively engaged in the furtherance and extension of the policies of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Particular emphasis is placed upon the roles of women to enable their distinctive gifts and insights to be valued within the church and the community.
APW has evolved a national structure similar to that of the Church Courts. It operates at parish, presbyterial and national levels. Originating in 1963 as an amalgam of four national women's organisations, APW retains the earlier emphases upon mission - overseas and in New Zealand, fellowship, maintenance of the fabric of parish churches, and the training of younger women. Major changes in Church policies have taken place over forty years, and such changes have been reflected in the activities of APW. One example of ecumenical co-operation is the annual preparation of a mission project supported by all affiliated APW and Methodist Women's Fellowship groups. These annual projects bring APW and MWF into close co-operation with Christian World Service through whom APW has access to Government subsidies known as VASS - VoluntaryAgency Support Scheme. Such subsidies for overseas projects can be up to a ratio of 4:1.