The Main Street of Greytown was transformed into a living nativity scene as St Luke’s parish held its annual outdoor Christmas service under the summer sun. Complete with donkeys, sheep, and parishioners dressed as biblical characters, the event drew smiles from locals and visitors alike.
We have crunched the data and found our most read stories for 2025. From reconciliation in the Middle East to radical discipleship at home, here are the stories that shaped our year.
Pam and George Williamson recently moved to Ōtaki and quickly discovered that All Saints Church is a vibrant hub of faith and community life.
Over 100 people gathered at St Barnabas Church for a festive afternoon of fun, food, and community connection.
“Way back in 1872 the first Anglican service was held in a sawmill in Palmerston North, and the foundation stone of the first Anglican church laid on 29th October 1875.”
We celebrate and unequivocally support the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE as the 106th Archbishop-designate of Canterbury.
As the anniversary of 7 October 2023 draws near, the present injustice must be seen in the light of a much longer history of fear, trauma, and violence.
Archbishops Don Tamihere, Sione Ulu’ilakepa and Justin Duckworth of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia strongly denounce the missile attacks on the Anglican Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, carried out in the early hours of Palm Sunday, 13 April 2025.
As Archbishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia we give thanks for the cessation of war promised by the ceasefire agreed between the Government of Israel and Hamas to commence on Sunday 19 January 2025.
“Glory to God in the highest, peace to all the earth, and goodwill toward all people!”
Luke 2:14, The song of the angels.
The Bishops have accepted the resignation of Andrew and Emily Spence as Co-Vicars of the Parish of Miramar-Seatoun-Strathmore.
The Bishops have accepted the resignation of Pete Hull as Priest in Charge of the Parish of South Wairarapa.
Bishops Justin and Anashuya ask us to join in prayer for the friends and family of the Right Reverend Brian Carrell who passed away recently.
+Brian previously served in our Diocese, including as an Assistant Bishop. Please see below for some words received from +Peter, Bishop of Christchurch.
The funeral service will be held at 10.30 am Monday 8 September, 2025, in the Transitional Cathedral, Christchurch.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
The Mayor of Lower Hutt, Campbell Barry, recently awarded the Reverend Murray Wills of the Parish of Lower Hutt a Mayoral Citation in recognition of his longstanding and meaningful contributions to the Lower Hutt community.
Rev Alison Seifert has retired from her role as Priest in Charge at Ruapehu Parish.
Bishops Justin and Anashuya are pleased to announce the appoint of Rev Julia Budd as Interim Priest in Charge in the Parish of All Saints Palmerston North with effect from 25 May 2025.
The story of faith has always been one embedded in difficult and desperate situations and in the face of oppression and empire – whether that’s Egypt, Assyria, Greeks, or Romans – yet in the end, the seed of love always continues. Seeing that God seems to be present to work again and again across history is something we can hold onto in the face of overwhelming challenges.
As we consider our calling as a transformative movement of local faith communities, how are we forming ourselves as people with spiritual disciplines that help us thrive?
We do not need to be afraid. God is faithful. God goes ahead of us. If we have faith to believe that to be true, then we will faithfully seek where God is already at work.
I can see that we as humanity tend to follow at least one of three coping mechanisms or behavioural responses when faced with an engulfing tide of threatening or disturbing events.
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1.23
I had a moment last month where my past caught up with me. I walked into Thorndon New World and saw an elderly gentleman. I thought “I know who you are, but it can’t possibly be you.”
Bishop Justin encourages us to attend the the Leading your Church into Growth hui on 17-19 October.
