I te Pāpaho - Media and Latest News
Keeping up to date with news and stories from across our faith communities, the wider church and community....
Recent News...
Adjusting to a bluer Christmas without loved ones and loved places: Dr Lynne Taylor (the Jack Somerville senior lecturer in Pastoral Theology, University of Otago) reflects on the meaning of Christmas for people who have experienced loss. (ODT, 20 December 2025)
Barron 'very humbled' to join Fifa Women's Committee: Jackie Barron (current Principal of St Hilda's College) will have a voice in helping shape the future of women's football...(ODT subscriber only article, 17 December 2025).
Call to see the humanity of every person a timeless message: It is just as well that governments don’t get to heaven. Christian theology has Jesus saying on Judgement Day “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me”. (New King James Bible) (Dr Anaru Eketone, ODT 15 December 2025).
Church marks 150th anniversary: The St Matthew’s Dunedin church community came together for a successful celebration of its 150th year at the weekend. (The Star, 11 December 2025)
Clergy member’s 60 years of dedication celebrated : It's not very often the Anglican Church gets to celebrate a 60th anniversary for one of its clergy.
But that’s how it was in Oamaru on Thursday, when Archdeacon The Ven Bernard Wilkinson (94) was the subject of a special morning tea at St Luke’s Church in Oamaru. (ODT, 6 December 2025)
Grief, loss initiative receives grant: The largest grant ever awarded by the Clutha Foundation will help bring a much-needed grief and loss programme to South Otago, marking a major step in expanding emotional-wellbeing support across the district. Anglican Family Care received $15,000 to pilot its Oceans Grief & Loss Programme locally — funding foundation administrator Jess Weichler said reflected the foundation’s commitment to health and wellbeing during a cost-of-living crisis that was putting families under pressure. (ODT 6 December 2025)
Touchstone December 2025: Have a look at the latest news from the Methodist Church in New Zealand
World news
Secretary General's Christmas Message—ACNS
Cmas returns to a Gaza church scarred by war—Reuters (video: 1 min 41 sec)
World leaders express horror, revulsion over Bondi Beach shooting—NZ Herald
Anglican leaders respond to attack on Jewish Australians at Bondi—ENS
Anglicans offer prayers (Church Times) and 'unwavering' support for Jewish community vow after Bondi terror (Melbourne Anglican)
Rise in mountain rescues as social medial fuels risk—The Independent
How to hold Cmas services for parishioners living with dementia—Church Times
Aotearoa New Zealand news
Archbishops share Christmas hope—Anglican Taonga
Dunedin church marks 150th anni. led by Bishop Peter—Otago Daily Times
Minister urges early renewal: Is your NZ passport expiring soon?—NZ Herald
How do churches serve widows?—Anglican Taonga
Aucklander with cystic fibrosis completes 12 marathons in a year—NZ Herald
National Anglican News at Taonga
5 fresh kids' ideas for Xmas
Diana Langdon shares five fresh ideas for welcoming children and families to your church whānau this Christmas, gathered from the children and families' ministry network of the Tikanga Pākehā dioceses.
Archbishops share Xmas hope
The Archbishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia have shared a Christmas message centred Jesus as the one who turns us from despair to hope.
Fiji breaks silence on violence
The Anglican Diocese of Polynesia has joined the Fiji Council of Churches and House of Sarah's campaign to break the silence on violence against women and children in 2025 to mark this year's "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence".
How do churches serve widows?
Anglican deacon and nursing educator the Reverend Faye Davenport has taken a deep dive into the pastoral and practical needs of widows, as she looks for ways that church communities can better respond when a woman's spouse dies.