Media Releases

Church calls on local councils and communities to provide more alcohol-free activities

Friday 17 July 2015

The Presbyterian Church has added its voice to those speaking out against New Zealand’s binge-drinking culture, saying that more alcohol-free activities for youth are part of the solution.

Providing more “dry” all-ages community and neighbourhood events will contribute to addressing the problem drinking habits of Kiwi young people by providing safe, alcohol–free alternatives, says Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the Right Rev Andrew Norton.

Pope has important message on climate change for New Zealand

Thursday 25 June 2015

The Presbyterian Church has enthusiastically welcomed Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment which addresses one of the great moral challenges of our time, climate change.

“Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods,” the papal statement says. “It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.”

Put old family arguments aside and enjoy a peaceful Christmas Day says Church

Tuesday 09 December 2014

While Christmas is often a time of joy for reunited families, for others it is a time of arguments, old grudges and reminders of the differences that separate us.

A recent survey found that the average British family will have at least five arguments on Christmas Day, often over family gossip and grievances. In New Zealand, family conflict leads to increases in domestic violence during the Christmas holiday period.

New Master for Knox College

Thursday 20 November 2014

The Very Rev Dr Graham Redding has been appointed Master of Knox College, Dunedin. He takes up the role from 12 January, 2015.

For the past eight years Dr Redding has been the Principal of the Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership, which is the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Dunedin-based training centre for ministers and lay leaders.

Presbyterian Church Embraces its Ethnic Diversity

Sunday 19 October 2014

7 October 2014

In celebration of the increasing number of ethnically diverse congregations in its midst, the Presbyterian Church today declared itself to be a cross-cultural Church.

On Tuesday 7 October the Church’s General Assembly agreed unanimously to adopt a new policy statement that declares the Church to be “a cross-cultural and multicultural Church with a bicultural commitment”.

Presbyterians appoint new national Assembly Executive Secretary

Thursday 16 October 2014

The Rev Wayne Matheson has been appointed as the national Assembly Executive Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. The role is the equivalent to a General Manager and will be based in the Church’s national office in Wellington.

Wayne will be inducted into the role at a special service at St John’s in the City Presbyterian Church, Wellington, on Tuesday 21 October at 6.30pm.

Presbyterian Church to consider divestment of fossil fuels

Tuesday 07 October 2014

October 2014

At its biennial General Assembly yesterday, the Presbyterian Church agreed by a majority vote to request that the Church’s Property Trustees, who manage the major funds of the Church, divest from fossil fuel investments.

The General Assembly also encouraged all congregations and members of the Church to seriously consider the same action in relation to their own investments.