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From the Moderator
From the Assembly Executive Secretary
Global Mission
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
Presbyterian Children and Families
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From the Moderator
Moderator’s safari
After a summer break where people are asking for a refund on "summer", I pray you are preparing for another challenging year in ministry and Church life.
I started a 17 day ‘Moderator’s safari’ on 23 January, beginning with Northern Presbytery and culminating when I attend Waitangi Day at Waitangi - escorted and encouraged by Moderator Tamiana and his wife Honey Thrupp of Te Aka Puahou on this very special yearly occasion. I will be accompanied by my wife Helen. I have been to the Waitangi grounds before so that won't be new but being with other church leaders and attending services as our Church leader will. I am looking forward to a spiritually enriching time in the presence of Christians standing together in the name of Christ in the midst of all that goes on in the build up to the day and Waitangi Day itself.
I was invited to preach at the dedication of the revitalised Avondale Union Church buildings on Saturday 25 January. What an achievement of faithful visionaries and tireless workers through upheavals, challenges, obstacles and of course the multimillion cost of the project. Part of my message was that the Lord supplied what was needed for the project, chose Spirit filled people to pursue it. Be thankful with joy, forgiving the people and circumstances of the past who made it difficult and understanding that God is good all the time, and, all the time God is good.
Rev Saifaleupolu Si'itia-Asi led the service very well in an honest and encouraging manner with colleagues from the Methodist Church also participating. If you haven't heard a Samoan choir in full voice you haven't lived! It is now up to the parish to make good on the gift of a magnificent building complex for the glory of God and the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their community.
I spent Sunday with Revs Won Hyuk and Dongbin Kim (both PCANZ trained) at a relatively new church plant in the Auckland CBD and their Korean congregation of immigrants and 1.5s and occasionally 2.0s. Vision - yes. Faith -yes. Courage - yes. Hardships - yes. Perseverance - yes. Tough and streetwise - yes.
There are two parts to what they do. Part one is the "We Care" street based pastoral care ministry. Part two is the "Be:Long Church". In one of the high-rise canyons, they have the use of a ground floor area with big doors that open out onto a public square. They set up with their worship band who play and sing quietly, have a few tables inside where people can sit and talk, play board games like chess, have tea or instant coffee for free, and, that's it. People come in. The homeless, wanderers, high rise dwellers from different backgrounds (I did notice that the well-dressed walked past looking a bit bewildered). They offer conversation, a companion to play a board game with, prayer, a blessing and other help where they can. The commitment to the "We Care" pastoral ministry is amazing. The Auckland City Council is impressed too with what they are doing letting them use the space for free.
In the afternoon they meet for a worship service and fellowship at Be:Long Church at another venue, the Auckland Chinese Presbyterian Church in Union Street where they use one of their spaces. I preached, with Rev Dongbin interpreting into Korean, as one or two of the older folk do not understand English that well or at all. A tip from a newbie to being translated: your message takes twice the time and it’s hard to stay awake near the end.
Ministers & Training
One of the conversations that is becoming common as I move around the Church, and it is popping up already in this trip, is the concern many people have about the number of ordained ministers there are. One issue is the eligibility criteria for acceptance into ministry training coupled with the eligibility of experienced ministers returning to New Zealand after ministries overseas, along with ministers trained elsewhere coming to live in New Zealand and seeking to be accepted by PCANZ. Incidents of dissatisfaction in this are commonly told to me. All I can do is make an observation.
On the training side, recent graduates (the last five years or so) from the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership speak well of their training. At the Council of Assembly meeting held in late November 2025, Rev Dr Geoff New, Principal of KCML, presented a paper in person to the Council on KCML's Statement of Intent. With his permission I have included it here as a look at how our ministry training is developing and I hope you find encouragement in it.
Keep Christ at your centre
Peter
Right Rev Peter Dunn
Moderator
From the Assembly Executive Secretary
Please note, the AES column will return for our March edition. We are currently transitioning to a new Assembly Executive Secretary, the Rev Erin Pendreigh takes up the role this month.
PCANZ Finance & Operations Team
Greetings. As this is the first PCANZ Finance & Operations Team column in Bush Telegraph for several years, I’d like to reintroduce our team and share some recent developments.
The Finance & Operations Team comprises: Michaela Press – Finance and Operations Manager; Angela Singer - Communications Director (who among other things edits the monthly Bush Telegraph you are reading); Katrina Graham – Finance Administrator; and Nani Susijanto – Office Administrator.
Working for You
A core part of our work is supporting the wider Church. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Offering communications advice
- responding to finance, accounting, and payroll queries
- providing Xero administration and support
- processing police checks
- notifying annual stipend and mileage rates
- producing the Church Management Support Guide
- supplying HR guidance for ministers based on the Book of Order and Conditions of Service Manual.
Beyond this, the team manages the non-ministry functions of the Assembly Office. These responsibilities span communications, budgeting, accounting and financial reporting, financial processing and payroll, oversight of the annual PCANZ Group Consolidation, ensuring compliance with legislation and regulations, and supporting various Governance committees.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
Kate Wilson, who has served in our team as Administrator – Executive Support, Compliance and HR since 2020, will be leaving in the next couple of months.
Bronwyn Miller has shifted from the Consolidation team to work on a contract basis alongside Kate as an Administrator - Executive Support, Compliance and HR.
We are currently working through several matters relating to the Group Consolidation and, once this process is complete, we will determine the staffing requirements going forward.
Michaela Press
PCANZ Finance and Operations Manager
Global Mission
I hope the New Year has begun well for you. Here is some information about two Global Mission opportunities:
Training in Mission (for Young Adults aged 20-29)
The Council for World Mission (CWM) is calling for applications for Training in Mission, a programme that will take place from June to December this year in the Philippines and Singapore. This is funded by CWM. If you have young adults in your congregation with an interest in mission this might interest them. Information can be found on the PCANZ website here. Note that applications close on 27 February, so the timing is tight, and need to be endorsed by the Assembly Executive Secretary. Please contact me if you would like further information.
English Teacher, Talua Theological Training Institute, Vanuatu. Start date April or June 2026
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the position for 2026 is now vacant and needs to be filled urgently, with a start date in either April or June. Minimum requirements are a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) or an equivalent internationally recognised TESOL qualification; or a degree or higher qualification that includes teaching English. If this is you, you have an interest in mission, and are open to an adventure in 2026 read more here.
Onesua Chapel Fund
Onesua Presbyterian College in Vanuatu is planning to rebuild their chapel and is asking for financial support for this. If anyone is interested in making a donation, this can be made online to the Global Mission account, 02 0500 0086963 10. Put Presbyterian as the name of the account and Onesua as the reference. Email Katrina to inform her of your donation and obtain a receipt.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me for any information regarding the above or any Global Mission matters.
Phil King
Global Mission Director
Presbyterian Children and Families
Kia ora everyone!
We are well into a New Year, and, as this newsletter is sent out, many schools, preschools, and children’s ministry programmes will be starting up again for 2026. As we look ahead to the new school year, and all that comes with that, I pray God’s blessing on all those who take on the important calling that is Children’s Ministry. It is one of those spaces where joy, wonder, stress, hope, frustration and chaos often collide, but for those who are called to serve in this way, I trust that you would know the encouragement and appreciation of those around you.
Opportunities
This year brings some exciting opportunities, starting with a training day in Dunedin on Saturday 14 February with the team from Scripture Union. This is a fantastic opportunity for those in Southern Presbytery to gain some valuable training and wisdom from a team of very knowledgeable individuals!
I will also be attending the Central Presbytery gathering in March, where I will be doing a workshop and a keynote presentation, as well as spending some time with ministry leaders. I am also aiming to be at the Southern Presbytery gathering in April, so am again looking forward to conversations and connections with those who are passionate about children’s ministry.
Safety WOF training
Finally, a reminder that we are hosting our next Safety WOF training sessions online this March. This includes an extra session specifically for parish Child Protection Officers, who have completed the training, to help equip and empower those who have taken on this role. For more information, or to register, check out the website.
Yours in Christ
Karo Wilson
Director
Presbyterian Children and Families Ministry
Presbyterian Research Centre
Lenten Book Club: “God, AI, and Us”
Hewitson Library has recently added dozens of titles on the subject area of artificial intelligence (AI) and theology - please see here.
Presbyterians and other people of faith in New Zealand are invited to join in a six-part series of short book club discussions via Zoom. These will be held 7:30-8:10pm on the Monday evenings in Lent, 23 February through 30 March. We will read and discuss a chapter each week, taken from six books that the Library holds. We can learn and grow together in our knowledge of how AI impacts theology in particular, and our world in general. Please contact Jay Robinson if you are interested in this.
150th Anniversary display
PRC has setup a display in the cabinet in the foyer just outside KCML, to commemorate 150 years of Presbyterian ministry preparation in New Zealand. KCML is celebrating this history, of itself and its two predecessor incarnations. Their main anniversary event will be held in May. In the meantime, come and check out the display when you are in Dunedin.
Simon Rae talk
Presbyterian Research Network (PRN) is hosting Rev Dr Simon Rae, to speak about two leading figures in the Indonesian National Revolution. The talk will be held in the KCML Seminar Room, located at Knox College in Dunedin, on Thursday 26 February at 5:30 pm. Light refreshments will be offered from 5 pm.
In Christ
Jay Robinson
Director
Presbyterian Research Centre
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
Our 2026 began with the combined Summer School with the University of Otago with Prof Lynn Cohick (Houston Theological Seminary). Followed by our Summer Block Course commenced here in Dunedin on 2 Feb with eight ministry trainees.
Faculty are also confirming a range of training events (in-person and online) for this year with presbyteries. Keep an eye out for dates in your presbytery newsletter or on the KCML website.
New Book Group
Join a group of peers engaging with Dr. Christa McKirland’s important book “A Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church”.
Is authority reserved for those with a specific calling to leadership? Who holds power in the church?
‘A Theology of Authority’ expands our understanding of authority, recognizing the Spirit's enablement of each member to fulfil their calling to spiritual maturity.
Who is this for? Anyone in the PCANZ.
- Starting Tuesday, 3 March and running for about 6 weeks (we’ll negotiate options around the beginning of Easter).
- Please be prepared to commit to the whole time so that the group can benefit from this continuity.
Christa is currently dean of faculty and lecturer in systematic theology at Carey Baptist College.
A book grant of 50% off the book price is available (please purchase from competitive price-points e.g. Amazon.au or Blackwells), or $50, whichever is least. Please respond to Andrew Nicol to register your interest by 17 February.
150th Anniversary of Knox Theological Hall/Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership (Dunedin) 2-3 May
This year is the 150th Anniversary of theological and ministry training at Knox. There are two main events in Dunedin:
Saturday – 2 May 2026, 2pm-4:30pm. There will be guided tours of KCML and Knox College (2pm onwards), afternoon tea (3pm), and a curated time (3:30pm-4:30pm) for people to reminisce about their experiences here.
Sunday – 3 May, 7pm. A worship service of gratitude and celebration will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church Dunedin followed by a catered supper. The service will be led by Very Rev Dr Graham Redding and Rev Margaret Garland. Rev Dr Murray Rae will preach.
If you have any questions, please contact Geoff New.
Rev Dr Geoff New
Principal
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
Presbyterian Youth Ministry
Exciting time for youth ministry
Kia ora koutou! I’m really excited for youth ministry in 2026 and look forward to connecting with you this year. Please take note of the following:
PCANZ Safety WOF Training
If you have children/youth leaders who need to do the WOF training, get them to join our online WOF training sessions in March:
Thursday 5 March, 7-9pm - Session 1: Intro & Ethical Practice
Thursday 12 March, 7-8.30pm - Session 2: Health and Safety
Thursday 19 March, 7-9pm - Session 3: Safe recruitment and responding to abuse
Can’t make these dates? You can run this training easily in your own church using the videos and manuals freely available here.
Child Protection Officer Training
Child Protection Officers please join us for a specific training session for your role on Thursday 26 March, 7-8:30pm. Register here for the WOF training and select the CPO option.
Year 11-13 Students Bicultural Discipleship Camp
Te Rangatahi Noho Marae, 30 May-1 June (King’s Birthday Weekend) @ Ohope Marae.
We invite Year 11–13 students to join us for two days of fun, food, faith, and leadership development. This marae stay offers an immersive learning experience exploring:
- Tikanga Maori
- The emergence of Christianity among Maori and how Te Ao Maori (the Maori worldview) and Christianity can be woven together
- The partnership between the Presbyterian Church and Te Aka Puaho
- The Treaty of Waitangi
- Leadership principles from Te Ao Maori
This camp had a profound impact on the faith of those who attended previously, please encourage your young people to this event. For more information, please see here.
Download the PYM 2026 Resource Poster
The PYM Resource Poster highlights key events and some of our most well-used resources. Download it here. We recommend you it and put it somewhere visible.
Join our Facebook Group!
We have a Presbyterian Youth Ministry Facebook Group in addition to our Facebook Page. Joining our Facebook group means you can choose to ALWAYS get our important updates instead of the Facebook algorithm deciding for you :)
Blessings
Matt Chamberlin
PYM National Youth Director
Presbyterian Church Schools
Myth Busting
Presbyterian schools are busy starting a new year of education. As usual the NZ Herald has published a list of the most expensive school fees including some Presbyterian schools. And some Presbyterians feel very uncomfortable because such lists feed elitist myths that I want to challenge.
Myth 1: All Presbyterian schools are rich.
Our 12 schools are divided between private (or independent) and state-integrated. State-integrated schools are mainly funded by the government (staff wages and building maintenance). Therefore, their fees are only for new buildings and extras like chaplains. However independent schools pay for everything as they have minimal government funding. So, fees must pay for everything - staff wages, the buildings and the learning resources. (I was surprised to learn that private schools in Australia have about three quarters of their costs supported by federal and state grants!) Yes, some schools have huge budgets, but the expectations are huge too. And most of their assets are from the generosity of past and present donors.
Myth 2: They are only for rich people.
Not all Presbyterian schools demand high fees and many have scholarships. Many parents choose to sacrifice because they value schools that promote effort and building character.
Myth 3: They have forgotten they are Presbyterian.
While their websites highlight academic and cultural excellence and quality, every school’s special character also demands that students are introduced to concepts such as serving the community, valuing everyone and a faith journey. The schools were never founded to produce “good Presbyterians”, but they all have chapels and chaplains demonstrating, and teaching, Christianity.
Myth 4: They need to reflect our Church values.
Our schools are not, and have never been, under PCANZ’s authority, unlike some other faith-based schools. They are all founded to be autonomous. The fact that so many Presbyterian schools still exist, and want to have a relationship with the Church, is remarkable
This year Presbyterian schools will offer 13,000 young people and their whanau opportunities to explore faith, build character, serve others (sounds awfully like church, doesn’t it?). Please pray that the seeds sown are nurtured. Poipoia te Kakano kia Puawai.
Stephanie Wells (Rev)
Director of Presbyterian Church Schools Resource Office
CWS Notices
Thank you to all churches who got behind out Give Water, Give Life Christmas campaign. Can we ask any churches to please forward their donation as soon as possible please. Also keep an eye out for our summer appeal that is based on maintaining our CWS “momentum of compassion” as we enter the 2026 year.
Join our Board
Christian World Service is wishing to fill a ‘skills based’ seat on its Board. The Trustees seek someone to join them offering their financial expertise that will assist in developing our financial strategies and with monitoring our accounts as good stewards of the funds entrusted to us. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please email us.
Notices
Talk: The crisis of human collective decision-making in a social media world - Tue 10 Feb online and at Otago Uni
Free talk on The crisis of human collective decision-making in a social media world by Professor Carl Bergstrom, University of Washington. We have evolved to scour our natural and social environments for useful information and social connection. What happens when the scale of human communication is radically transformed in the span of a generation, and our mechanisms for creating collective understanding are upended, this entire process engineered by machine learning algorithms to get people to click on advertisements? Attend online or inperson free on Tue 10 February 2026, 5:30pm to 6:30pm, University of Otago, Archway 3 Lecture Theatre, Dunedin. See more.
Mentoring Opportunities New Zealand Christians in Science - Mar - Dec 2026
New Zealand Christians in Science is hoping to run a third mentoring group starting in March 2026, and extending until December 2026. Looking for science students or theology students (undergrad, postgrad, young professionals, or post-docs) who would like to dig deeper into science and theology literature and discuss this material with their peers and mentors from NZCIS. Commitments include one to two hours a month of meeting online and reading at least one book a month. NZCIS will cover cost of those books. If you are interested contact Nicola.
KIA TIPU SUNZ training events by Scripture Union - May to Sept
In 2026 we will have a particular focus on helping churches create the best environment for children’s faith to grow, with a focus on Bible engagement and prayer for children and families. Attend our Children's Ministry Training conference events nationwide. More here.
Watch Waitangi Day Dawn Karakia live
Tune in for the Waitangi Day 2026 Dawn Service karakia live broadcast beginning at 5am on Friday 6 Feb. Live on Māori TV https://www.maoriplus.co.nz/show/waitangi-2026-kei-o-ringa and TVNZ One https://www.tvnz.co.nz/livetv/tvnz-1 from Te Whare Rūnanga at Waitangi. Our Moderator Rt Rev Peter Dunn will be at Waitangi with Motoreta / Moderator of Te Aka Puahou Rev Tamiana Thrupp, plus other church leaders including from the Anglican, Catholic and Methodist churches.
Salvation Army State of the Nation 2026 Report
The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit will be launching its State of the Nation Report on 11 February 2026. This annual report provides a clear evidence-informed overview of wellbeing and social issues in Aotearoa. Download the report from 11 Feb here.
Mark Elsdon events & workshops: Leveraging hidden assets for mission and growth - 16-19 Feb 2026
Christian Savings invites you to a night of insight, and meaningful conversation with Mark Elsdon, author, speaker, social innovator who explores the intersection of faith, investing, and social change. Speaking from an American context, Mark will challenge churches to uncover the wealth of resources we have and how to deploy these for Gospel work in our individual context. Panel discussion follows with local experts and stakeholders who will tie the themes of Mark's presentation to our context. Following day attend a Workshop on New mindsets to unlock Gospel outcomes with Mark Elsdon and local experts, crafted to teach Design Thinking. Mark will illustrate how our approach to problem solving will be the central tool in unlocking the resources around us for the Gospel. Evening events: Auckland 16 Feb & Christchurch 18 Feb (6pm-8pm). Workshops Auckland 17 Feb & Christchurch 19 Feb (8.30am-12.30pm). Register here.
Scholarships for Ministry Education and Further Education
The Presbyterian Development Society (PDS) is launching a new strategic direction aimed at supporting ministry education and the ongoing eduction of the Presbyterian Church. The new direction includes three scholarships aimed at 1) reducing the financial barriers to people considering ministry in the PCANZ, 2) encouraging people to give theological study a go, 3) supporting the professional development of paid staff and non-paid leaders in the church, and 4) increasing the diversity of ministers with a higher education (Masters or PhD level). More information will be provided by PDS soon.
Chief Executive Kaihautū Prison Chaplaincy Aotearoa - closes 15 Feb
Tira Tūhāhā Prison Chaplaincy Aotearoa (TTPCA) is a registered charity that provides religious and spiritual support services to prisons and correctional facilities. See more here about this permanent full-time position based at TTPCA’s national office on Willis Street, Wellington Central. TTPCA offers a competitive salary, five weeks annual leave, car park, laptop and phone, and Air NZ Koru membership.
Prison chaplaincy vacancies Manawatū, Hawke's Bay, Rimutaka, Waikeria
Apply for part time (20 hrs week) and full time prison chaplaincy vacancies at Manawatū, Hawke's Bay, Rimutaka, Waikeria prisons. More details here.
Glen Innis Holiday Homes – bookings now open to all ministers
Bookings are now open to all minsters, not just those with school aged children. There are two holiday houses at Glen Innis Station, Central Hawke’s Bay, available at no cost (other than refundable bond) for National Ordained Ministers for a re-creational holiday one week each year. One of the houses, Maud Hooper, is now also available for use by Local Ordained Ministers, Amorangi, and Local Shared Ministry team members - outside school holiday periods - at a cost of $200 per week (plus a refundable $100 bond). It's self-contained accommodation for up to seven adults and one baby, with modern facilities (including Wifi and dishwasher) as well as access to a range of onsite recreational facilities (games room, swimming pool, tennis court) in beautiful country surroundings. Info and video here.
Greetings from the Theology Programme at the University of Otago!
The Theology Programme at the University of Otago offers many opportunities for the study of Christian Theology, on-campus and via distance study, see course details here. Subjects on offer include: Old Testament and New Testament Studies, Church History, Systematic Theology, Māori Theology, Pacific Theology, Ethics, Practical Theology and Ministry (including Chaplaincy Studies), and Biblical languages (Hebrew and New Testament Greek). The Theology Programme also has a Centre for Theology and Public Issues, offering papers with a strong social justice focus on contemporary issues. Study toward a qualification, or take a single paper. Qualification options: Diploma in Theology; Bachelor of Theology; Postgraduate degrees in Theology, Ministry, Chaplaincy, and Faith-Based Leadership and Management; MTheol; and PhD. See papers here.
Church Register
For any queries concerning the Church register, contact Kate Wilson.
Changes in Status
Rev Jonathan Parkes, other recognised minister Alpine Presbytery to stated supply Wakatipu Presbyterian Church, Southern Presbytery, 13 October 2025.
Rev Greta Muller, minister New Plymouth – Knox Fitzroy Presbyterian Church to other recognised minister, Presbytery Central – Nukuhau Tapu, 14 December 2025.
Rev Seb Murrihy, minister Waitara – Knox Presbyterian Church (50%) Presbytery Central – Nukuhau Tapu, and Lecturer/Ministry Formation Coordinator Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership (50%), to member Presbytery Central – Nukuhau Tapu and continuing in 50% role at KCML, 14 December 2025.
Rev Brett Walker, minister Taradale – St Columba’s Presbyterian Church to Minister Emeritus, Presbytery Central – Nukuhau Tapu, 31 January 2026.
Retirement
Rev Bruce Graham, minister Clevedon Presbyterian Church to Minister Emeritus, Northern Presbytery, 18 January 2026.
Resignations from the Roll of Ministers
Rev Chris Milham, other recognised minister Presbytery Central – Nukuhau Tapu, 14 January 2026.
Congregational changes
Mairangi and Castor Bays Presbyterian Church – Mairangi Bay, change of name to Mairangi Bay Presbyterian Church, 9 November 2025.
Jobs
Check out our job vacancies page and the ministerial vacancies table and featured ministerial vacancies for the latest vacancies available in Aotearoa and around the globe.
Events
Check out details about upcoming events including training workshops, opportunities to serve and more. Learn more
Social Media
Check out in one handy place the links to the social media of the Presbyterian Church and its ministries including websites, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and video.
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