Please note that only the Opening Service and Closing Service will be live during GA25, however, there will be recorded video of daily business shared here as it becomes available. As per GA23, there will not be a series of GA news emails but instead a daily summary of key decisions as noted by the Assembly Business Work Group during business - this will be uploaded as soon as information to include is available so check back for updates.
- Download GA25 Daily Summary for Wednesday 22 October
- See Assembly minutes on the GA25 website
Assembly morning worship, 22 Oct
Video 1 - Includes morning worship and dialogue groups, watch below or here.
Morning, Afternoon, Evening Assembly business sessions 3, Wed 22 Oct
Video 2 - Includes GA Review and presentation of the Moderator designate, watch below or here.
Resumption of GA Review report:
Carried: Rec 025: Amendment that 025 be split into a and b.
Carried: a. That reports to General Assembly be made available to the wider Church prior to Assembly. Carried (025a)
Carried: b. That General Assembly is made freely available for viewing via livestream from 2027 onwards, decision: carried (025b)
Rec 026:a and Rec 026:b - both rescheduled for tomorrow.
Rec 027:
Carried: a. That a standing task group be formed to continue to discern the future shape of General Assembly.
Carried: b. That this task group be afforded transparency around the budget process of the Presbyterian Church and a budget for meetings.
Carried: c. That the standing task group work with the Assembly Business Work Group and Local Arrangements to shape future Assemblies.
Moderator designate
The Rev Dr Murray Rae will be the next leader of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Murray was elected Moderator designate by the Church and will take up the role of Moderator at the 2027 General Assembly. The introduction to the Moderator designate was greeted enthusiastically by the Assembly and responded to with a prayer and impromptu haka by Moderator Rt Rev Tamiana Thrupp and others from Te Aka Puahou. Watch the video (1:01) and see more on Rev Dr Murray Rae here.
Video 3 - Includes appointment of Assembly Executive Secretary, and the Book of Order Advisory Committee , watch below or here.
Appointment of Assembly Executive Secretary:
Rec 038:
Agreed: Moved into Private.
Agreed: Came out of private.
Carried: That the Rev Erin Pendreigh be appointed Assembly Executive Secretary, effective from 1 February 2026.
Book of Order Advisory Committee:
Agreed: Rec 056 - 059.
Carried: That the draft Code of Practice set out in Appendix 5 of the report of the Book of Order Advisory Committee be circulated to presbyteries for comment by 30 June 2026, to enable the Book of Order Advisory Committee to draft the final wording of the Code for adoption by the Council of Assembly as a Supplementary Provision.
Video 4 - Includes address by new AES Rev Erin Pendreigh, an acknowledgement of current AES Rev Wayne Matheson who is leaving the role, Book of Order Advisory Committee, Quorum for presbytery gatherings, Doctrine Core Group, watch below or here.
New AES Rev Erin Pendreigh addresses Assembly
Addressing the Assembly after the ratificaton of her appointment as the Church’s new Assembly Executive Secretary (AES), the Rev Erin Pendreigh was met with a round of applause. Erin said she was humbled to offer herself, her gifts and talents to the Church in the role of Assembly Executive Secretary. In a short acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude for all those who had gone before her, the men and women who had paved the way for women’s ministry and leadership within the Church. She acknowledged study and training innovations that had allowed her to continue to be at home with family while she studied for, and trained for, ministry - these included distance learning at Otago University Theology, and the KCML internship programme. This was, she said, something that her family were very, very thankful for. In applying for the AES role, Erin said she had expressed a desire that the skills she would bring and develop would help the Church to continue its journey reforming its policies and practices as we pursue the things of God. Erin will commence the AES role in February 2026
Acknowledgement of Rev Wayne Matheson, Assembly Executive Secretary
Council of Assembly led a moving acknowledgement of the Rev Wayne Matheson who is leaving the Assembly Executive Secretary role next year. Council Deputy Convenor Rev Roxy Gahegan invited to the stage to share some words those who have worked with Wayne over the years - Te Aka Puahou, past Assembly Moderators, and former Council of Assembly convenors.
There was a long hug for Wayne from Honey Thrupp, Executive Officer of Te Aka Puahou, which spoke louder than words all that Wayne means to her and Te Aka Puahou. She presented him with a kete. Roxy said that the basket represented all that Wayne had brought to Te Aka Puahou.
Former CoA Convenor Rev Richard McLean spoke about how Wayne has helped every presbytery by helping their presbytery executive officers to answer the difficult questions. He presented Wayne with journal and pen to write his memoirs... or doodle.
Former CoA Convenor Rev Dr Jaco Reyneke acknowledged that Wayne had been required to do something terribly hard; to gather info about historical abuse in our churches and represent the Church at the Royal Commission, to let the God light shine and be compassionate on behalf of us. Jaco presented Wayne with a candle.
The Very Rev Ray Coster was thrilled to honour Wayne and presented him with the gift of a magnifying glass, recognising Wayne’s detailed meticulousness, combined with caring heart, on matters of compliance, ethics and risk management.
Very Rev Richard Dawson shared anecdotes of studying and traveling with Wayne over the years, acknowledging Wayne’s “unflappable approach”. He presented Wayne with a map representing his travels.
Former CoA Convenor Jenny Flett spoke of Wayne’s incredible pastoral gift to bring healing where there was discord, and ability to relate across all sectors of the Church. She acknowledged his deep caring for our Māori whanau. On a personal note, she thanked Wayne and his wife Adrienne for being there for her and her family during her difficult health journey. The gift that Jenny presented was a self-seeding kawakawa tree.
Past Moderator Very Rev Fakaofo Kaio spoke of his time working alongside Wayne during Covid. He said they had not known each other prior and spent many days visiting places together, constantly in each other’s company. Fakaofo said Wayne showed him deep respect, and he found Wayne to be an incredible heartful guy. Fakaofo shared anecdotes that revealed how they have enjoyed and continue to enjoy each other’s company. Fakaofo presented Wayne with a tuluma, a wooden box used by fishermen from Tokelau (and Fakaofo promised to find the key to unlock it!).
Current Council Convenor Katerina Solomona invited the Council of Assembly, who had flown in to honour Wayne, onstage. Katerina explained how Council had planned this acknowledgement. She said as a Council they saluted Wayne, honoured him, and thanked him. An emotional Katerina looked at Wayne as she said, “Who are we at the table that you would care so much? Who are we at the table that you would care so deeply? And who are we at the table that you will meet us where we are? Katerina thanked Wayne on behalf of Assembly for all he has done for the Church. “Our parting gift for you is the bonus you so rightly deserve”. They shared a warm embrace as Katerina gifted Wayne an envelope.
Wayne addressed the Assembly and began by sharing an anecdote about his first meeting with Fakaofo, the beginning of their warm relationship.
Wayne said that he knew where he was on this day 22 October 11 years ago: St John’s in the City Wellington being inducted as AES. Back then we had not heard of Covid, Financial Consolidation or Royal Commissions, he said. The world has changed and the road ahead will require us to be far more attuned to the spirit of God than to lean on human understanding, yet God has remained the same, he said.
When he started as AES, he said he had no idea how long he might be in the role but thought there were a couple of areas he needed to invest time and energy into. One was the Synod of Otago and Southland, a relationship he considers important “not just money and grants… but people”. He thanked the Synod, and thanked Fergus Syme for his long friendship. The other area was Te Aka Puahou, who Wayne has had the privilege to spend lots of time with. He said he has thoroughly enjoyed the people, and he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Moderator Rt Rev Tamiana Thrupp.
In concluding his address, Wayne quoted from Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech
Commission of Assembly:
Agreed: Rec 061, That General Assembly amend the purposes of the James Mackay Drummond Trust as follows: To apply the capital and income of the Trust for the purpose of providing financial assistance to any former student of St. Andrew’s College of Christchurch for the training or study of any trade, profession or calling for which they show aptitude or talent.
Agreed: Rec 062, That the General Assembly amends the purposes of the Thornton Blair International Travelling Scholarship Fund as set out in the report of the Commission of Assembly.
Quorum for presbytery gatherings:
Carried: Rec 080, That where Book of Order regulation 8.15 (1) states ‘A quorum for a meeting of the full presbytery held at a physical location is one third of the voting members, representing at least one third of the congregations of the presbytery.’, this be altered to read:
(1) A quorum for a meeting of the full presbytery held at a physical location is either one third of the voting members, or one third of the congregations of the presbytery.
Doctrine Core Group:
Agreed: Rec 063, That the statement titled ‘A Theology of Ordination’ be adopted by the Assembly.
Board of Knox College & Salmond College:
Agreed: Rec 064, That the revised Constitution of Knox College and Salmond College Incorporated be approved.
Video 5 - Includes Resource Sub-committee, Nominating Committee, Presbyterian Women successor organisation, watch below or here.
Resource Sub-committee
Agreed: Rec 042, That General Assembly receive the audited accounts of the Church for the financial year 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Agreed: Rec 043, That the Convenor and Deputy Convenor of the Council of Assembly be authorised to sign the audited accounts on behalf of the General Assembly.
Nominating Committee
Agreed: Rec 065, That the Council of Assembly undertake a review of the Assembly nomination processes and then report back to the 2027 General Assembly with recommendations.
Agreed: Rec 066, That the Nomination processes review include:
a. identifying the barriers to availability of nominations to committees of the church.
b. considering whether it is time to move away from pure volunteers, to using more of the Assembly and Presbytery employees in the committee work of our church.
c. investigating whether the numbers of members on each committee could be reduced.
d. reviewing the roles of those committees and workgroups.
Agreed: Rec 067, That the membership of national church committees, work groups and other nationally appointed bodies be as set out in the appendix to the report of the Nominating Committee.
Presbyterian Women successor organisation:
Carried: 077, That a task group be established to facilitate the formation of a successor organisation to Presbyterian Women Aotearoa New Zealand.
Carried: 078, That the task group have the following terms of reference:
• Oversee the establishment of the organisation, including its goals and constitution;
• Engage with the United Nations in relation to consultative status;
• Comply with the United Nations timeline including if that requires action before the next Assembly;
• Consult with relevant bodies and persons within the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand;
• Liaise with the Council of Assembly regarding any issues that might affect the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Council being authorised to resolve such issues on behalf of the General Assembly;
• Report to the next General Assembly.
Carried: 079, That the Council of Assembly be asked to appoint the members of the task group.
Taxation of churches
Rec 081, That General Assembly, through the Inter Church Bureau, continue to advocate to oppose initiatives to tax the business operations of churches.
Moderator in the news
Today our new Moderator Right Rev Peter Dunn was in the Ensign newspaper - see the story here. Our Moderator has been interviewed by two reporters recently and those media stories will be published in the media this week.
New AES ratified by Assembly: Rev Erin Pendreigh
The appointment of the Rev Erin Pendreigh as the Church’s new Assembly Executive Secretary (AES) has been ratified by the General Assembly today. She will commence the role in February 2026, at the end of the current AES Rev Wayne Matheson’s term.
For the past decade Erin has been the Mission Advisor for the Southern Presbytery. Erin says this ministry position has helped prepare her for the AES role.
“Although there are differences, I believe there are some core values – supporting the broader work of our committees and congregations with timely advice and strategic insights and asking questions when they are helpful for a broader understanding. Encouraging conversation that helps to recognise where God is in our midst and how to continue reforming our practices to reflect God” she says.
Erin will be based at Kaka Point in the Catlins with the intention of being in Wellington and Auckland often. “Currently, I travel a lot around the Southern Presbytery for work, and travel will continue in a strategic way to connect with the national network of presbyteries and partners.”
She is a member of the Church’s National Nominating Committee and convened the Mission Enterprise Review for COA. She was part of the Theological Education and Leadership Training Task Group (TELT) Review team.
Erin says her leadership style is best described as “relational, strategic, not afraid to say what needs to be said”.
Married to Rev Rob Pendreigh, minister at Balclutha Presbyterian Church, together they have three adult children and one grandchild. Their son lives at home, and their two daughters and granddaughter live in Australia.
Erin says she sees the AES role as encompassing “among other things being the Clerk of General Assembly; offering strategic leadership and advise to GA and COA, workgroups, presbyteries to help them in their work; continuing to strengthen the relationships amongst the Church and beyond the Church; leading and managing the Assembly Office enabling them to support God’s mission of the Church. There will be much the AES contributes to the wellbeing and running of the PCANZ that I am sure to discover as time goes on.”
Erin attended Lytton High School in Gisborne, before studying at Waikato University. “After this, I started in the Auckland head office of the National Bank and became a Business Analyst for the International Fund Transfer Department. Obviously, time in between being a mother”.
She has a Bachelor of Theology (by distance) and her KCML Internship was at Arrowtown (part of the Wakatipu Parish). She was ordained and inducted into transition ministry at Wanaka. Erin is currently undertaking part-time a Masters in Change and Organisation Resilience through AcademyEX.
Two experiences that Erin describes as widening her ministry understanding were her time as a Presbyterian Women delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Conference, New York, in March 2016, and from 2023 to 2024 as part of the Council of World Mission ‘a New Face team’. “We went to Taiwan and the following year to Wales; this was a delegation of women ordained ministers from around the world.”
Erin’s faith journey began when she “went to church as a child - I have a memory of pushing my blue ted to church. Then, a family lifestyle change meant we drifted away from attending church when I was young. I started back when I was in my 20s, we moved to Mosgiel where I rediscovered church and faith attending East Taieri Church. I am now at Balclutha Presbyterian Church, where Rob is minister.”
Erin has reflected on what she sees as the challenges and the opportunities for the Church.
“I said in my interview for the AES role that some of the challenges are the capacity of our ministers and the workload they have – being present in their parish, serving their local presbytery, and contributing on the national Church workgroup. We don’t have enough ministers for all we expect them to contribute to.”
“Another challenge is the risk to our discernment when our lay leaders are disconnected or don’t have a full understanding of the church and its polity and practice. Even if we have an equal number of ministers and elders on a committee, if the elders don’t know enough, then it is increasingly harder for them to contribute their insights.”
Erin has also been reflecting on youth engagement. “How do we engage with younger people in our congregations? We have them in our congregations but how we ‘do business’ and how they engage means we often aren’t including them or benefiting from their insights. I frequently say, how do we pass the baton down the generations? We can’t keep passing it around ourselves. And how heavy is the baton we are passing?”.
A big opportunity for the Church is, Erin says, the “amazing people who are interested in God, their communities and how they can be part of connecting and serving God.”
“I heard Phyllis Tickle say on a podcast a long time ago, ‘the tide will go out and the tide will come back in’ - she was talking about the Presbyterian tradition - it just won't come in the same way it went out. But this is God’s church, and it will keep coming in.”
Erin is encouraged by communities such as “Forge maturing and connecting in new ways, using new language to explore faith in community”.
“I see opportunities in deepening the relationship with Te Aka Puahou and the Pacific Presbytery – the indigenous change methods (as they are called in secular spaces) continue to guide us as a denomination in listening to one another and to the Spirit.”
Watch live GA25 Closing service - time change 11.45am
From 11.45am on Thursday 23 October you can watch the General Assembly Closing Service live, click on this vimeo link. You do not need a password or to register, just click on the link.
Ministry videos and greetings played for the Assembly
Greetings to the Assembly from the Uniting Church in Australia
Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM) greetings to GA25