Bishop Justin Joins Church Leaders To Affirm Te Tiriti as Sacred

Bishop Justin Duckworth joined an ecumenical delegation of Christian leaders at Parliament last week to meet with Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and also with Opposition Leader Hon Chris Hipkins.

Together, they presented a unified statement affirming the sacred place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Aotearoa New Zealand’s governance and national identity.

The gathering brought together leaders from the Anglican, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches, as well as the Salvation Army, Te Rūnanga Whakawhanaunga i ngā Hāhi o Aotearoa, and the National Church Leaders of Aotearoa New Zealand. Their collective message, “A Responsibility to Place and People: A Faith-Based Call to Honour Te Tiriti, Tangata and Taiao”, urged government leaders to uphold Te Tiriti as a taonga and ensure its principles are embedded in law and policy.

The delegation emphasised that Te Tiriti is more than a historical agreement—it is a living covenant that shapes relationships and ensures justice for Māori and all who call Aotearoa home. Their statement called for laws that uphold Te Tiriti, the inclusion of Māori leadership in governance, and co-design processes for policies that impact Māori communities.

Bishop Justin expressed his gratitude for this unified witness of the church:

“It was a privilege to stand alongside my brothers and sisters from across the church, united in affirming the sacredness of Te Tiriti. When the church speaks with one voice on justice and partnership, it’s a powerful witness. It was also great to attend with Charles Waldegrave from the Child Poverty Action Group and to thank the Council for Christian Social Services for pulling this together and for their ongoing mahi on behalf of the most vulnerable.”

The statement also spoke to wider justice concerns, including economic equity (tangata) and environmental care (taiao). Leaders urged the Government to adopt policies that promote housing security, fair pay, and community wellbeing, alongside bold climate action to safeguard creation.

Church leaders affirmed that these priorities flow from the heart of the Gospel: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. They expressed hope that this dialogue will strengthen partnerships between Government and faith communities to ensure a just and thriving Aotearoa.

Read the full statement here.