Every two years we elect our representatives to General Synod Te Hinota Whanui - but did you know that this is open to all lay people and ordained ministers? What Synod members do is to nominate and then vote to choose the candidates, but candidates don't need to come from within the Synod itself.

Because these elections take place at Synod, the presumption is made that only Synod representatives can put themselves forward for this. This is not the case.

The procedures for nominations and qualifications required for any nominee are as set out in Title B of the Canons of this Church and in our own Diocesan Statute No 6 (The General Synod Representatives Statute). 

What Synod members do is to nominate and then vote to choose the candidates, but candidates don't need to come from within the Synod itself.

The current representatives are:

Clerical: The Rev’d Dr Anne van Gend and the Rev’d Canon Michael Wallace.

Lay: Mr Keith Gover, Dr Penelope Field and Mrs Glenys Faulds

Clause 5 of our Statute 6 stipulates we can elect two clergy and three lay representatives.

General Synod Te Hinota Whanui is taking place from 19-24 May 2024 at the Toitoi Arts and Events Centre, Hastings.

If you are thinking and praying about serving the wider church in this way, you will also need to be able to attend the meeting of the Tikanga Pakeha Conference (TPC) which will be held immediately prior to the next meeting of the General Synod.

If you are looking to put your name forward but are not an existing Synod rep, please contact the Registrar before 15 September 2023 for some direction. You will need to find a Synod rep (from the appropriate house) to nominate you.

We need to have some information about you to help people to vote, and you may want to introduce yourself - contact Andrew Metcalfe (03-488-0821) who can record this via Zoom if you are unable to attend in person.

Nomination forms are attached below.

Extra Information: 

Title B of the Canons say: 

Any clerical or lay member of the diocesan synod desiring to nominate any person of the order of that member for election to the General Synod / te HĪnota Whānui, shall send to the Bishop of the Diocese a nomination in writing of that person. Every nomination shall be signed by the nominator, and shall contain a declaration by that nominator that the person nominated is willing to act.

Our Statute 6 (Clauses 2, 3 and 4) say: 

• (2) At the Annual Session of Synod immediately preceding the Biennial Session of the General Synod/Te Hinota Whanui, nominations of Clerical and Lay Representatives shall be made in writing and handed to the Secretaries of Synod. The time after which nominations shall not be received shall be fixed by the Synod on the first day of the Session, immediately after the Officers of Synod have been appointed. Every nomination shall be signed by the nominator, and shall contain a declaration by the nominator that the person nominated is willing to act.  
• (3) Every Ordained Minister who is licensed to any ministry or to any ecclesiastical office in any Diocese, shall be qualified to be elected as a Clerical Representative, whether residing in the Diocese or not and
• (4)Every Lay person having been baptised and being registered in any local ministry and mission unit or recognised worshipping community of any Diocese, shall be qualified to be elected as a Lay Representative, in any Diocese

Clause 6 outlines that clerical and lay reps are elected by the respective houses.