We celebrate the achievements of those in our Diocese who received valedictory awards at St John’s Theological College in Auckland. 

King Prize Award: Rev Kim Duxfield

Rev Kim Duxfield is the recipient of the King Prize. The King Prize is presented in honour of John King, one of the original CMS missionaries to the Bay of Islands in 1814.  The prize was originally for a student studying “for Holy Orders” and set up by John King’s son, James King, in 1885. This prize now recognizes excellence in Te Reo Māori, Māori Studies Level 6, and is given to the top student in Te Reo Māori Level 6. 

William Bullock Memorial Prize: Rev Miriam Freeman-Plume

Rev Miriam Freeman-Plume of Pāuatahanui Parish is the recipient of the William Bullock Memorial prize. This prize is in recognition of the late Archdeacon William Bullock.  Archdeacon William Bullock was a Chaplain in WW1 for the British and served as Chaplain for the NZ Expeditionary Force. He served tirelessly within the Wellington Diocese, which included as Vicar at St Matthews Church in Masterton, Vicar of St Peters Willis Street, and Vicar General. This prize has had varied kaupapa/purposes as to what it was awarded for. Originally the prize was awarded for church history, and also ethics. This prize now recognizes the outstanding academic performance of an undergraduate student in the NZ Diploma of Christian Studies. 

St Hilda’s Prize: Rev Colette Stevens

Rev Colette Stevens of Otaki Parish has been awarded the St Hilda’s Prize for her essay, “The Christian Spirituality of Godly Play.” The St Hilda’s Prize is awarded to an undergraduate woman student at the College of St John the Evangelist who submits a piece of original work in any field of theological enquiry. Hilda of Whitby (c. 614–680) is a Christian saint and the founding Abbess of the monastery at Whitby in 664. An important figure in the Christianisation of England, she was Abbess at several monasteries and recognised for the wisdom that drew kings to her for advice.