Media Releases
Church supports marriage between man and woman
Thursday 11 October 2012
At last week’s General Assembly gathering, the Presbyterian Church upheld the historic Christian understanding of marriage as the loving, faithful union of a man and a woman.
“We are being faithful to what we understand Christ is calling us to as a Church,” said Moderator of Presbyterian Church, the Right Rev Ray Coster.
Presbyterian Church elects Moderator-designate
7 October 2012
The Rev Andrew Norton of Auckland will be the next leader of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Andrew has been elected Moderator Designate and will take up the role of Moderator in late 2014. The result of the election was announced at General Assembly 2012 in Rotorua on Sunday 7 October.
Andrew is the mission leader of St Columba Presbyterian Church in Botany Downs.
Presbyterian Church embraces its ethnic diversity
7 October 2012
The Presbyterian Church recognised today its growing number of Korean and other Asian congregations with a decision to adopt a policy statement about becoming a cross-cultural church.
The Church’s decision to adopt a statement embracing cross-culturalism is a continuation of its long history of respecting diversity. The Presbyterian Church has an existing bicultural covenant with its Maori Synod, Te Aka Puaho, and the new policy statement will be expressed within the context of that relationship.
Presbyterian Church backs living wage campaign
7 October 2012
The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand joined the call for a living wage today.
At its biennial General Assembly gathering in Rotorua today, a recommendation was passed that encourages its churches and related organisations to work towards payment of a living wage.
Presbyterian Church commits to advocating for vulnerable children
7 October 2012
The Church added its voice to the growing number of agencies calling for better outcomes for young Kiwis by endorsing a declaration on vulnerable children.
Pacific Island Presbyterians to govern themselves within the Presbyterian Church
6 October 2012
Pacific Island Presbyterians rejoiced today in the Presbyterian Church General Assembly’s overwhelming support to grant presbytery status to the Pacific Islands Synod.
The Synod now has status and powers equivalent to a presbytery, or to Te Aka Puaho the Church’s Maori Synod, and can govern and self-manage its contribution to the life of the Church.
The Church’s Pacific Island congregations will be able to choose whether they will belong to their existing regional presbytery or the new Synod.
Presbyterian Church calls on NZ Government for more urgency in relocating Pacific islands climate change refugees
6 October 2012
The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is calling for the New Zealand Government to establish relocation strategies with the governments of Pacific island nations in danger of disappearing as a result of climate change.
A recommendation for the Church to advocate for climate change refugees was accepted with unanimous support at the Church’s biennial General Assembly in Rotorua today.
Presbyterian Church has new elected leader
Thursday 4 October 2012
The Right Rev Ray Coster is the new Moderator or elected leader of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. He begins his two year term from 4 October 2012.
Ray has been minister of St Andrew’s Presbyterian in Mount Maunganui since 1985; prior to that he was the minister of Trinity Presbyterian in Timaru.
Church marks Children’s Day with Kids Friendly approach
1 March 2012
The Presbyterian Church is marking the theme of Children’s Day 2012, “treasure our children”, with events around the country for children and their families.
One of the focuses of celebration will be in Dunedin, where ‘Fun in the Park’ at Nairn St Reserve will include an outdoor family friendly worship service, followed by stalls, food, a bouncy castle, face painting and other fun activities.