- Contact those who contribute to Bush Telegraph here.
- Subscribe to Bush Telegraph and other ministry publications here.
From the Moderator
From the Assembly Executive Secretary
Global Mission
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
Presbyterian Children and Families
Presbyterian Research Centre
Presbyterian Youth Ministry
Presbyterian Church Schools
PressGo
GA Emissions Reductions Workgroup
Church Register
Notices
Social Media
Events
Jobs
Subscribe to publications
From the Moderator
Moderator's Round up
It has been a while since I have contributed to Bush Telegraph. This has been for various reasons like having nothing to say after a slow period, being on leave in Australia as deadlines approach and pass, and being overseas visiting the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu. That's how life rolls.
Since April I have had quite a number of events around the country, that visit to Vanuatu with plenty of preparation time, and the weekly tasks of answering emails. I attended the Alpine Presbytery Gathering in Christchurch in late April, the National Dialogue for Christian Unity Annual Forum in Auckland in late May, followed by an enjoyable weekend in Gisborne with St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church as it celebrated its life over about 167 years - I preached at the Sunday service. Sadly, the parish was closed a few weeks later as it wasn't able to keep going.
During June I visited the offices of Te Aka Puahou for a pastoral visit and chat about things. It is always a special time to catch up with Moderator Tamiana, and the now Rev Honey Thrupp. From 18th to 20th the Council of Assembly met in Wellington. On the 21st I preached at Plimmerton Presbyterian Church. Tuesday 23rd was lunch at the Anglican Centre hosted by Bishop Justin Duckworth and six other church leaders. Later in the afternoon the six of us spent an hour with the Prime Minister followed by an hour with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Then came a period of leave in Australia before travelling to Vanuatu on July 16th to 25th to attend the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu on the Island of Epi.
During August, 5th to 7th I attended the Presbyterian Church Schools Conference in Masterton at Solway College. From 14th to 17th I attended the Central Presbytery Gathering in Palmerston North, preaching at the 150th anniversary of Pathways Church, formerly St Andrew’s, on the Sunday.
That gives you an idea of what Moderators do, plus there are a number of other behind the scenes projects that take time as well. By the way, the novelty of flying has worn off and the Air New Zealand flight schedules from Invercargill usually make for a long day going past Christchurch.
Meeting the PM and the Leader of the opposition gave me plenty to think about. The church leaders who had attended past meetings put forward the idea of instead of raising issues of party policy, we instead talk about our expectations as Christians leaders that we have of a government. We didn't end up in no-win arguments so it was a good way to do things. Whether they will be of any eternal consequence I am not sure, but for churches not to engage at that level would be a strategic miscalculation.
Christopher Luxon and Christopher Hipkins couldn't be more different in personality and style. What struck me was that they were people. Both came across as human beings who are under tremendous pressure, with both alluding to the constant onslaught of hate directed at them personally. I came away with two thoughts: pray for our politicians and for the government of the day, and do not enter into the realm of hate speech, even when you are adversely affected by a policy they would have been part of formulatiing.
We went camping in Vanuatu on the still being developed Island of Epi. If you are worried about sleeping in a thatched hut with a few solar lights and no running drinkable water, a cold shower and flush the toilet with a bucket, ask for hot water from a village neighbour that was boiled over an open fire, you would be like my wife Helen and I taking it all in our stride. We stayed for four of the seven day General Assembly meeting. The GA meetings are run differently to ours but were recognisably Presbyterian. All business was conducted in Bislama, the national language of Vanuatu, a mixture of English, indigenous and French languages. Vanuatu is a football mad country and the first two-hour debate was on whether or not to delay the next day’s business by two hours so everyone could watch the World Cup final. In the end business started on time the next day.
Vanuatu as a Christian country is the fruit of dozens if not hundreds of Christian missionaries who dedicated their lives to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the New Hebrides. The missionaries are highly honoured by church and State. Very different from a country I know that tends to vilify missionaries as the vanguard of colonialism. Epi Island had NZ missionaries. We visited a small offshore Island where the Rev Neal Whimp and his family lived in the 1970s. We visited the mission house and the church. Talking to locals, they talked so highly of Neal and his work among them, some testifying that he lead their families to Christ and they are still active Christian families.
The Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu faces many challenges as the country itself struggles on many levels. The economy especially with the fuel crisis, the Chinese influence as Chinese interests are making big inroads into the commercial sector, climate change with growing evidence of more and more severe cyclones coming their way, the social cost to families as the men go fruit harvesting in New Zealand and Australia for two to nine years or more -- so many things. But as a church they are dynamic in their mission. They know that leading people to Christ is the key part of their mission as they take lead on social justice issues and care for the poor in areas where the men have gone, with an emphasis on establishing bush schools to attract and educate the children, and make contact with the mothers and old people who carry the weight of their families survival with the men away, made worse when no money comes home.
Finally, a shout out to Rev Phil King and his role with the Global Mission within PCANZ. Phil is a brilliant relationship builder with people and has established a strong network of church leaders in countries where PCANZ has had historic missionary involvement. To watch him mix and mingle with people at the GA showed his leadership, pastoral skills and vision for our relationships with his ability to make the relationships two ways by making it possible for groups from New Zealand to be involved in mission projects overseas.
Make it your obligation to pray for the government and politicians without bias or hate. Pray for Vanuatu and the church there. They need our prayers and support
Peter
Right Rev Peter Dunn
Moderator
From the Assembly Executive Secretary
Greetings Friends and Colleagues
I wonder what type of reader you are.? I am someone who likes to know the ending of a book or a movie. I like to know who won Formula 1, rugby, or league, so recording the event means I can watch knowing the ending. It does not detract from the experience; it helps me understand the journey. I am married to someone who is the total opposite. In some ways, this means I can be content in the now and focused on tomorrow, sometimes with too little regard for yesterday. And yet we worship God who was and is; we ponder an event from over two thousand years ago that has direct impact on today and the future.
I mention this because some of the relationships PCANZ has inherited, including those with our Church Schools and Presbyterian Support, are not simply remnants of the past. They remain strategic and missional relationships that help us live out the gospel in places where communities are being formed, cared for, and served. It could be easy to look at their governance structures and say they are not part of the Church, so why invest in those relationships when we have so many issues immediately before us.
A few weeks ago, I drove to Masterton to attend the Annual Church Schools Conference held at Solway College. Chaplains, principals, board members from the 12 Presbyterian Church schools in the network, and some of us from the PCANZ, gathered to encourage and learn together. I was only there for one day, but I was encouraged by the genuine care (not only for the children who attend their schools) but also for their intentionality with what it means to be a special character school.
I acknowledge in the room there were various degrees of openness to it all. But they were in the room and sharing experiences. I was also really interested in a keynote by Rev Ryhan Prasad exploring the weaving of Christianity/the church and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
As I reflected on my time with the network, it affirmed for me the need for relationship. On most, if not all 13 of the school boards, the PCANZ nominates a representative; these spaces were granted decades ago, and they continue to matter now. I spoke with one board chair who had recently reviewed their constitution and could have removed representation from the Church. He commented that it had gone through his mind, but the Church had never hurt the school, so why change anything now.
At the conference there were several PCANZ board representatives who, with a non-anxious presence, help keep the relationship between Church and school alive. There was a sense of their commitment to the schools being the best they could be, and of their understanding that special character is a vital component of wellbeing. These are strategic appointments, perhaps quiet in form, but no less significant in witness.
With all the challenges we have as a Church, especially our capacity issues, it would be easy to release ourselves from structural relationships that were set up decades ago. But what I saw at the conference was not a burden from the past; it was an asset for the future. If we neglect these relationships, we risk losing places of trust, influence, and shared service that have taken generations to build. Even if we do not have a direct connection to one of our Church schools, we all have schools, hospitals, prisons, and other community spaces that may benefit from our presence as neighbours.
“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf.” (Jeremiah 29:7)
These words invite us to look again at the relationships already entrusted to us, not only as structures to be maintained, but as places where faithful presence can continue to bless the wider community. My encouragement is that we hold these relationships with care, appoint people to them wisely, and recognise in them part of our continuing public witness to the glory of God
Ngā manaakitanga
Erin Pendreigh
GA Emissions Reductions Workgroup
“Let your light shine…”
Solar power finally has its day in the sun (‘scuse the pun). The Strait of Hormuz fuel crisis was a wake-up call that fossil fuels are less reliable than we thought. The transition to renewable energy is long overdue. It simply makes sense. Solar increases energy security, decreases power prices, and is kinder on the planet.
Churches should be leading the way. Caring for God’s creation and the just transformation of society are the two oft-overlooked faces of our mission.
If we lead the way, others are likely to follow. Human beings are like sheep (Jesus understood this well!): if we see our neighbour do something we’re far more likely to do it too. In Victoria, Australia, the trend of solar is well established, 30% of homes now have rooftop solar. In NZ, the percentage is pitifully low: 4%.
What would happen if Presbyterian churches all around the country started slapping solar on their rooves? We would be a beacon of light, both figuratively and literally, for a more just world.
The biggest barrier to solar is typically the up-front capital cost. That’s why the Presbyterian Development Society has teamed up with PressGo to offer “Green Enterprise” grants. You can now apply to PressGo for up to $20k or half the cost of solar installation (whichever is less) to get solar on your church’s roof. To find out more, email PressGo. You may also like to read the Interchurch Bioethics Council’s one-pager on energy security here.
Note: The author of this column serves as a Director of Presbyterian Development and as a member of the Interchurch Bioethics Council.
Rev Dr Jordan Redding
Convenor
GA Emissions Reductions Workgroup
Global Mission
Vanuatu
After a long delay English teacher Brianna Snowdon from Australia finally had her visa approved and began working at Talua Theological Training Institute at the beginning of August. That set off a busy period in Vanuatu with several projects taking place. A chaplains’ training programme has just concluded, with our team of trainers delivering a week-long programme to an estimated 100 participants at Eton Village (about half an hour from Port Vila). Saint Kentigern School is returning in September with teams conducting service programmes with Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV) schools. And a team from Wanaka Presbyterian Church will be visiting Talua to develop the partnership they began in 2024. This will include Rev Ian Hyslop doing some teaching of ministry students in the week they are there. It’s encouraging to see such a range of activity in our relationship with the PCV.
India
Next week I will be leading a team of 10 PCANZ members to St. Thomas School in Jagadhri, India to attend the dedication of the completed Riddell Block, a new classroom block bearing the name of PCANZ missionary and founding principal Rev Doreen Riddell. The delegation includes our Moderator the Very Rev Peter Dunn and four members of the Riddell family.
While current activity in India is limited, the relationship with St. Thomas School remains strong and opportunities still exist for PCANZ members to contribute in various ways. For example, on this visit my wife Keryn who is a Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) has been asked to lead a seminar on special needs education with the special needs unit at the school. It is sure to be a learning experience both ways.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions in relation to PCANZ Global Mission.
Phil King
Global Mission Director
Presbyterian Children and Families
Embracing a child-like faith
Recently, I have been reflecting on what it means to have a ‘child-like’ faith. Often, we get ‘child-like’ confused with ‘childish’. But how do we truly approach faith with the attitude of a child?
Children are full of wonder, curiosity and joy. When given the opportunity, children have a vivid imagination that makes anything possible. They express utter delight in the smallest of things, and ask questions that adults don’t often consider, that bring a depth of thought that often surprises us as adults. A child-like faith challenges us to bring a sense of wonder, curiosity and joy that is often quashed by the demands of adult life.
And so I encourage you to consider where in your church life, or your own personal faith journey, might there be space for a little more wonder, curiosity and joy?
Upcoming Events
Safety WOF Training
As people of faith, we are called to care about the safety and well-being of the young people entrusted to us. As such, Safety WOF training is vital for any person working with young people within the PCANZ. There is still time to register for September’s training sessions – sign up here.
Kia Tipu
Our friends at Kia Tipu are hosting their final Kia Tipu Children’s ministry training in Whanganui on Saturday, September 12. Kia Tipu is always a valuable day, with great ideas and resources for those involved in children’s ministry. To register, or for more details, check out their website here.
Resources
Our website has a great variety of resources for families, churches and ministry leaders. I am always willing to develop new resources where required, so please be in touch if you have a need or idea for a resource we don’t currently have!
Blessings
Karo Wilson
Director
Presbyterian Children and Families Ministry
Presbyterian Research Centre
125th Anniversary of Church Union
Presbyterian Research Centre have been working on a display to mark the 125th Anniversary of the Union of the Northern and Southern Presbyterian Churches in New Zealand, which took place in 1901.
When the first Presbyterian service in New Zealand was held in 1840, most of those present would have considered themselves members of the Church of Scotland. However, within three years the Scottish church was rent by deep divisions and over one third of ministers had walked out to form the new Free Church of Scotland. These events, known as the Great Disruption, led to the founding of a Free Church settlement in Otago and to the existence of two separate Presbyterian Churches in New Zealand. These were the Northern Church which drew its membership from both the Church of Scotland and the Free Church, and the Southern Church in Otago and Southland which remained predominantly Free Church.
Over the years various attempts were made to unite the two churches, but it was not until 1901 that they were finally joined as one church, the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, with Rev Dr. James Gibb of First Church, Dunedin, as the first Moderator.
If you have the chance, pop into the Hewitson Wing of Knox College to have a look at the display telling the story of the long journey to Church Union.
Rachel Hurd
Archivist
Presbyterian Research Centre (Archives)
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
Presbytery Workshops
KCML has been active in two presbyteries in the past month. For Presbytery Central we led a workshop on Sharing our Faith. We discussed that while witness is always personal and often individual, being missional is a vital facet of our communal character and disposition. What is ‘the gospel’ and how do we become it together?
For Northern Presbytery in Whangarei, our workshop on Eldership and Leadership in Changing Contexts reflected on the underpinnings of spiritual governance. What does it mean for leaders to enable and join the ministry of the whole people of God? We explored how abiding or remaining in Christ as the source of our life simultaneously orients us toward the world God loves. How do our church leaderships continue to cultivate a culture which is conducive to this worshipful and missional posture?
These seminars were prepared in response to specific needs raised by presbyteries so are good examples of how KCML can serve the Church. As you continue to discern what God is doing in your regions, we would love to discuss how we might join with you in navigating emerging issues. If you are planning any events you would like KCML faculty to contribute to in 2027 please get in touch with us.
Noho Marae
KCML staff Ivan Martinez and Andrew Nicol will be attending the Noho Marae in September, accompanying and supporting our Local (LOM) and National Ordained Ministry (NOM) interns and building relationships with Te Aka Puahou. Registrations are now closed for this year but if you have missed out you can plan to attend next year, and pray for those who are attending this one. The Noho Marae is a weekend immersion to hear, engage, and reflect on the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, Te Aka Puahou, and our bicultural journey at our national Presbyterian Church marae, Te Maungarongo.
Faculty staff continue to work with interns as their training nears conclusion. The Spring Block Course dates are September 28 – October 8.
Principal's return
Principal Geoff New will return to work on September 14 following his recovery from open heart surgery. Welcome back Geoff and best wishes as you resume your responsibilities at KCML
Phil King
Acting Principal
Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership
PressGo
What is the Spirit saying to the Church? Conference
A significant conference is planned so save the date, Thursday April 29 -30, in Wellington. What is the Spirit saying to the Church? Keynote speaker: Dr Stefan Paas.
The PCANZ has tasked the PressGo Board with taking a lead in moving the culture of the PCANZ towards “a missional imaginative future”, looking at how PCANZ can create, contribute to, and nurture a healthy ecosystem for new growth to emerge and flourish, monitoring international trends and learnings around “future church” and leading theological reflection on mission and future church, providing healthy disruption.
To this end we are planning a conference in Wellington where the keynote speaker, Dutch theologian and missiologist Stefan Paas, will interact with research that PressGo has commissioned Dr Kevin Ward to conduct. A summary of that research will be released towards the end of this year. It will also inform both the content of Stefan’s theological reflections but also workshops relevant to the themes that are emerging from the research. More details about the conference content and registration will be released in the coming months.
Very Rev Hamish Galloway
Chairperson
PressGo
Presbyterian Youth Ministry
Kia ora koutou
Rangatahi Noho Marae 2026 wrapped up with an unforgettable few days at Te Maungarongo Marae, Ōhope Beach — worship, wānanga and whanaungatanga by the sea, and some beautiful stories of rangatahi encountering God. One student shared they'd "never felt so connected to the culture… it was quite healing for the soul," while a Pacifica student described the noho as deepening their "cultural and spiritual empathy," giving them "a better understanding of myself as a person and who I am with my faith". Leaders praised the way teaching struck a careful balance — naming hard history honestly while pointing forward to forgiveness, compassion, and "the beauty of Jesus and Christianity". Read more stories from the weekend here. Save the date for Rangatahi Noho Marae 2027 too, Kings Birthday Weekend, 5-7 June 2027.
New website resources
A few new resources worth sharing with your youth leaders and whānau:
● Outside the Box Jesus — a fresh video series by Rev Tom Mephan designed to spark honest conversation about who Jesus really is, cutting through assumptions and inviting deeper faith. Great for youth group nights or small groups.
● New Discernment Guide — a practical resource from Cathrine Sharman to help rangatahi (and the leaders walking alongside them) navigate big decisions with a discerning, Spirit-led heart.
● Neurodiversity and You — watch a recorded seminar by Kyle Hastelow exploring how to better understand and support neurodiverse young people in youth ministry.
Child Protection Quick Check
● Safety WOF: Online sessions begin 8 September — essential training for anyone working with children and young people in the PCANZ. Sign up here.
The WOF Training is currently being translated into Korean, Indonesian and Chinese Mandarin as a start. These are beta digital recordings and will require some corrections — the translated documents and videos will appear on the Safety WOF website as they are completed.
Beat the algorithm
Join the Presbyterian Youth Ministry Facebook Group in addition to our Facebook Page.
Nāku noa, nā
Matt Chamberlin
PYM National Youth Director
Presbyterian Church Schools
Annual Conference
The Presbyterian Church Schools Annual Conference was held at Solway College in Masterton in August.
Solway is an all-girls college, a roll of 213 students including 166 boarders. Their mission statement is, “To provide a holistic education for young women in an inclusive, Christian family environment”. The college begins every week with a full school chapel service which is usually student-led. Conference delegates attended one of these services during the conference and it was a very enjoyable experience. Daily devotions are led by classroom teachers, consisting of a scripture or quote and a prayer. This follows on from the chapel theme for the week.
Solway’s hospitality was exceptional and the conference was well led by Principal Janine Southey-Tupaea with able assistance from staff including their chaplain, Jane Rees. It was inspiring to see the work being done at Solway and it was a reminder that there is so much potential for us to continue strengthening the PCANZ’s relationship with the Church Schools network.
New Appointment Announced Soon
The process for the appointment of a new Presbyterian Church Schools Resource Office Director has nearly reached a conclusion, and we hope this information can be shared in next month’s Bush Telegraph.
Phil King
Chair
Church Schools Advisory Group
Notices
Season of Creation 1 Sept – 4 Oct: message to Church & Resources
The Season of Creation 2026 theme “Immersion in Living Water” refers to the living waters that flow from the temple in Ezekiel’s vision of the new Jerusalem (Ezekiel 47:1-12). Read the message to the Church, written on behalf of the PCANZ Moderator, by Rev Dr Jordan Redding, Convenor of the Emissions Reductions Workgroup, and see church resources, including those from Presbyterian Research Centre, on the PCANZ website.
Common Grace invites churches to hold Enrolment Sunday
This year there is less time to enrol to vote - you can no longer enrol on Election Day or in the two weeks prior. These changes affect those already marginalised who will be less able to participate if they don't get their details sorted in time. Common Grace invites churches to hold an “Enrolment Sunday” in the second half of September (or early October) to inform church members of the enrolment deadline. They have a 3-min video about why and how to enrol made for a church audience. See info and their resources here.
Thornton-Blair International Travelling Scholar Fund – applications are open!
Scholarships are granted for: Training for service (both lay and ordained) within the PCANZ or those in service undertaking further study, and, In the areas of Children and Family Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Social Services Ministry, and, with a preference (but not a requirement) for training or study overseas. Grants are for a maximum $10,000 in any one year (or up to a maximum of $20,000 for study over two years). Grants can be used to pay course fees to an institution approved by the Management Committee, conference attendance fees where attendance supports the area of study, international travel costs, course-related costs for essential equipment. Applications close 30 September 2026, with grants awarded no later than 30 November 2026. For an application form, please email the Church Property Trustees office.
International rural Churches Assoc – Gathering in Christchurch, 7-9 October
As a Sequel to the IRCA Conference in Romania in July, rural church people from the Oceania region are gathering lunchtime 7-9 October at The Village Church, Christchurch. Following a snapshot of the Eastern European context, key themes from the conference will feature: Faith, Culture, and Identity. We will have time for Talanoa/Family Groups, one on our context on the land and issues such as climate change and change in land use, a second on our communities and relationships e.g. with neighbours, newcomers and seasonal workers. Opportunities too for networking and planning. Attend in person and via ZOOM. Questions - email, and sign up here.
Apply for PCANZ Senior Financial Accountant role - P/T, Wellington based
The PCANZ seeks an experienced Senior Financial Accountant to join our Wellington-based Finance Team. This senior role provides technical accounting expertise across financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, group consolidation, audit support and financial advice. It also supports sound financial stewardship across PCANZ and provides practical accounting advice to congregations and presbyteries. We are looking for a Chartered Accountant, or equivalent, with significant financial accounting and reporting experience, strong technical and analytical skills, and the ability to communicate financial information clearly. Experience in not-for-profit or Church sector an advantage. For further info contact Michaela Press, Finance and Operations Manager, or see PD and more here.
Mātauranga Māori in Science Panel – Auckland, 14 Sept
Free discussion: Mātauranga Māori is a living and evolving body of knowledge developed by Māori over generations through observation, experience, whakapapa, tikanga, and relationships with te taiao – the natural world. It includes distinctive ways of knowing, being, doing, and sharing knowledge. Panel: Geremy Hema (Ngāti Paoa, Te Rarawa) Poutiaki Rangahau Māori in the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori at Waipapa Taumata Rau (University of Auckland); Rev Petra Zaleski, Lead Chaplain at Maclaurin Chaplaincy; Prof Paul Kilmartin, chemist in University of Auckland’s School of Chemical Sciences. NZCIS at the Maclaurin Chapel, 14 Sept, 6-9pm. Register here.
Apply now - study leave & post-grad study support & Begg-Dickie scholarship - closes 16 Oct
KCML Senatus is calling for applications for those seeking financial support for presbytery approved study leave and post-graduate study, including the Begg-Dickie scholarship for their next meeting in October. Information and applications as well as guidelines can be found on the KCML website. For more information or to submit an application please contact the registrar. Applications close 16 October.
Free daily Te Wiki webinars for Māori Language Week, 15-18 Sept
Te Wiki o te reo Māori – Maori Language Week is 14-20 Sept. See resources here to help you participate. There are free 12pm webinars from 15 to 18 Sept on different themes. Hear from inspiring guests who are helping to normalise and strengthen te reo Māori in everyday life. More here.
Election 2026 Resource from Interchurch Bioethics Council
The Interchurch Bioethics Council has prepared seven information sheets on issues that are likely to come up this 2026 election. The intention is to help people in our pews think ethically about the issues as they consider who to vote for in November. The seven issues are: Energy security, Food security, Healthcare, End of life care, Climate adaptation and Artificial intelligence. Download here.
Book now for Sept and summer holidays - Glen Innis Holiday Homes
Don't miss out, there's still time to book for holidays during September and during summer / early 2027. Glen Innis Holiday Houses are available to all ordained ministers. Thanks to the generosity of James McNutt, ministers of the Presbyterian Church are able to enjoy up to one week each year in one of two holiday houses (free of charge) on Glen Innis Station, just south of Waipukurau, Central Hawke's Bay. The holiday houses are available for National Ordained Ministers, Local Ordained Ministers, and Amorangi without cost (subject to a refundable bond). For more information, please check out info and video here.
Just Stories – see the latest stories
Download the latest August Just Stories flyer - see stories on Oasis Ōpōtiki, the late Peter Matheson, and Chartwell Cooperating Church embedded in the boxes (open the flyer and click on each of the stories and you will automatically be taken to that story, or use the QR code). See more inspiring stories on the Just Stories website.
Church Register
For any queries concerning the Church register, contact Bronwyn Miller.
Changes in Status
Rev Charissa Nicol, other recognised minister Southern Presbytery to other recognised minister Mission Catalyst Southern Presbytery, 1 July 2026.
Local Shared Ministry Teams Commissioned
St James Whanganui, Presbytery Central - Nukuhau Tapu, 26 April 2026. Rev Shirley Spooner enabler, Rev John Peill team leader, team members: Christine Wakelin, Maureen Missen Brown, Janine Stratton.
Te Awamutu Presbyterian Church, Kaimai Presbytery, 16 August 2026. Jamie Budd LSM enabler and team leader, team members: Lynda Driver, Mary Morriss, Dean Brogden, Joan Dickson, Christine Frederikson.
Retirements
Rev Anthony Martin, other recognised minister Southern Presbytery to Minister Emeritus Southern Presbytery, 1 July 2026.
Very Rev Dr Graham Redding, minister Knox Presbyterian Church Dunedin, to Minister Emeritus Southern Presbytery, 1 July 2026.
Deaths
Rev Uiva Vagana, Minister Emeritus Northern Presbytery, 16 August 2026.
Congregational changes
St John’s Bucklands Beach, Northern Presbytery, dissolved 26 July 2026.
Heriot Presbyterian Church, Southern Presbytery, closed 31 August 2026.
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.
Subscribe to publications
Self-subscribe to Bush Telegraph, Council News and to PCANZ ministries publications – see details here.