Media Releases

7 October 2012

The Presbyterian Church recognised today its growing number of Korean and other Asian congregations with a decision to adopt a policy statement about becoming a cross-cultural church.

The Church’s decision to adopt a statement embracing cross-culturalism is a continuation of its long history of respecting diversity.  The Presbyterian Church has an existing bicultural covenant with its Maori Synod, Te Aka Puaho, and the new policy statement will be expressed within the context of that relationship.

7 October 2012

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand joined the call for a living wage today.

At its biennial General Assembly gathering in Rotorua today, a recommendation was passed that encourages its churches and related organisations to work towards payment of a living wage.

7 October 2012

The Church added its voice to the growing number of agencies calling for better outcomes for young Kiwis by endorsing a declaration on vulnerable children.

6 October 2012

Pacific Island Presbyterians rejoiced today in the Presbyterian Church General Assembly’s overwhelming support to grant presbytery status to the Pacific Islands Synod.

The Synod now has status and powers equivalent to a presbytery, or to Te Aka Puaho the Church’s Maori Synod, and can govern and self-manage its contribution to the life of the Church.

The Church’s Pacific Island congregations will be able to choose whether they will belong to their existing regional presbytery or the new Synod.

6 October 2012

The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand is calling for the New Zealand Government to establish relocation strategies with the governments of Pacific island nations in danger of disappearing as a result of climate change.

A recommendation for the Church to advocate for climate change refugees was accepted with unanimous support at the Church’s biennial General Assembly in Rotorua today.

Thursday 4 October 2012

The Right Rev Ray Coster is the new Moderator or elected leader of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. He begins his two year term from 4 October 2012.
Ray has been minister of St Andrew’s Presbyterian in Mount Maunganui since 1985; prior to that he was the minister of Trinity Presbyterian in Timaru.

1 March 2012

The Presbyterian Church is marking the theme of Children’s Day 2012, “treasure our children”, with events around the country for children and their families.

One of the focuses of celebration will be in Dunedin, where ‘Fun in the Park’ at Nairn St Reserve will include an outdoor family friendly worship service, followed by stalls, food, a bouncy castle, face painting and other fun activities.

29 February 2012

4 October 2011

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, is to be commended for the prompt action taken in coming to the aid of the tiny island nation Tuvalu, says the Right Rev Peter Cheyne, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.

On Monday, the New Zealand Government sent two desalination plants, emergency water containers and officials to Tuvalu, after a state of emergency was declared last week due to an extreme shortage of drinking water.

5 September 2011

The Presbyterian Church today expressed strong concern over the recent ban on Methodist gatherings in Fiji.

The Fiji military imposed the ban this week, which includes a prohibition on all gatherings outside normal Sunday services. 

Any meeting taking place between Monday and Saturday – including prayer groups, choir practice, mid-week holy communion and youth fellowship gatherings – have been banned.