The Diocesan Council (Standing Committee), the Trusts Board and the Dunedin Diocesan Trust Board meet monthly. Read on for some highlights from the November meetings.

Diocesan Council, Trusts Board, and DDTB – November 2025

Highlights from Recent Meetings

Collaborative Governance and Planning

Diocesan Council, the Diocesan Trusts Board, and the Dunedin Diocesan Trust Board met in November for half a day of meetings. With Bishop Anne overseas, Vicar General Canon Michael Wallace chaired proceedings, supported by the Registrar and members of Council.

Council began with a time of whanaungatanga, sharing brief reflections on what was going well/weighing them down before prayer. Administrative business included confirming proposed meeting dates for 2026 and noting that the revised Code of Conduct for Trustees and AI Use Guidelines will come to the December meeting for fuller discussion and potential adoption.

An update was also provided on the implementation of the Diocese’s new Odoo ERP finance system. We also have employed a fixed-term Administrator Deborah Hanson to help the Office provide better support for our faith communities.

Property, Stewardship, and Parish Support

Council confirmed the establishment of a Property Commission for Otago Peninsula Parish to explore future options for one of their properties. Other property updates across the Diocese included:

• lease renewals in the Southern Coastal Deanery

• update on a Maniototo Parish Property Commission

• continuing work on storm-damage repairs in several parishes

• seismic-assessment extensions granted for church buildings within the Dunedin City Council area.

The Trusts Board noted ongoing governance work in relation to various boards that come under the Diocese of Dunedin.

Health, Safety, and Safeguarding

No major incidents were reported this month. Updated Health and Safety resources continue to be rolled out, with recent topics including hazardous substances, terriers, and digital-equipment safety. Further material will be highlighted through upcoming newsletters.

Safeguarding training remains active across the Diocese, with strong participation in November sessions and progress on developing online training modules. Two safeguarding matters remain open and will be monitored appropriately.

Reports and Updates

Bishop’s Overseas Update – 10 November 2025
While attending the "baby bishops" course in Canterbury, UK, Bishop Anne reflected on the global context of Anglican ministry, particularly the impacts of climate change shared by bishops from Melanesia, Jamaica, and other regions. She noted the richness of the experience, which included intensive learning, worship, and engagement with a diverse group of new bishops from across the Communion. Highlights included teaching from +Rowan Williams and practical insights into safeguarding, leadership, and ministry formation. Bishop Anne shared reflections from +Rowan on the Church’s call to be a dwelling for God and challenged clergy to consider how their ministry embodies faithfulness and the resurrection. She concluded with gratitude for the experience and noted upcoming time in Wells and on writing retreat at C.S. Lewis’ home in Oxford before returning to Aotearoa.

Ministry Educator Report – November 2025
The Ministry Educator reported on a range of activities supporting formation, discernment, and theological education. A successful clergy retreat was held at En Hakkore, and listening groups are being formed for those in the discernment process. Additional St John’s College funding applications have been received, and preparations for 2026 Post-Ordination Training are underway. The Bishop’s Companion Programme is now coordinated by Barbara Nordaanus, and new interest has been expressed in both the Education for Ministry programme and the “Being With” course. The Lay Training Day for 2026 will align with the Diocesan vision, with planning underway. The report also highlighted broader engagement through national hui, updates to Section F and the Code of Pastoral Practice, and ministry planning with Southern Coastal Deanery.

Child, Youth, and Family Educator Report – July to October 2025
John Graveston’s report summarised a highly active period across the Diocese, with extensive consultation on the Child Youth and Family Vision Document, resource-sharing, and safeguarding audits and training. Key events included archdeaconry presentations on the three-fold strategy, safeguarding training in multiple parishes, and input into the Sam Wells event and Synod preparation. Notable pastoral and youth engagement took place through ordinations, children’s events, and inter-diocesan collaboration. John also took over managing the Diocesan Play Church and continued to strengthen communication through online platforms. Safeguarding training reached over 75 participants across three sessions, with two matters flagged for follow-up. Resource organisation and web updates continue to support CYF ministry development.

Social Justice Committee – 30 October 2025 Meeting
The Social Justice Committee discussed a range of ongoing priorities, including the Kainga Maha business case for social housing in North Dunedin, which may serve as a template for future faith community projects. The committee noted the continued backlog in Anglican Family Care family support services and reaffirmed the importance of diocesan planning in progressing prior resolutions from the committee. Members were encouraged to support Action Station’s campaign for fairer electricity pricing via a national consultation. Fr Michael Wallace signalled his intention to step down from the committee, prompting a discussion on recruiting new members with complementary skills and interests

Dunedin Diocesan Trust Board – 14 October 2025 Meeting Summary
The DDTB approved a faculty for Southern Coastal Deanery property maintenance and supported time extension requests for engineering assessments. Trustees approved demolition-only insurance for one parish for 2026 due to affordability issues, noting the need for further strategic discussions with Diocesan Council. The Investment Committee reported a strong quarter, and several financial motions were passed including mortgage rate adjustments and investment purchases. The Earl Street Trust reported improved tenancy arrangements.

Joint DDTB–Council Workshop: Insurance Sustainability

A significant session brought together Council and the DDTB for a joint workshop on diocesan insurance, prompted by rising premiums and long-term affordability concerns.

Prior to the workshop, the DDTB presented an overview of Income Fund performance, investment strategy, and the mechanisms used to maintain stable quarterly distributions.

The insurance workshop explored three broad future insurance approaches that either kept the status quo, looked at a tiered approach (deciding what properties need to be protected by insurance ) or working from some kind of Common Pool for insurance — guided by core values of prudence, stewardship, affordability, and mission. Participants expressed support for gathering further information before any decisions are made.

It was agreed to:

• form a Joint Working Group (three members from each body)

• gather comparative information from other dioceses and denominations

• hold a follow-up workshop in the first quarter of 2026

This work will help shape a sustainable, collaborative diocesan insurance approach.

Looking Ahead

The December meeting of Diocesan Council will focus on:

• the revised Code of Conduct

• AI (Artificial Intelligence) Use Guidelines

• safeguarding and pastoral-practice updates

• continued progress on governance, property, and insurance matters

A reminder of who is on Diocesan Council and the DDTB: 

Diocesan Council: 

Clergy: The Rt Rev'd Dr Anne van Gend; The Ven Liz Cheyne [Southland]; The Very Rev’d Dr Tony Curtis SCP; Rev'd Dr Andrea McDougall [Oamaru - East Otago]; The Ven Damon Plimmer [Archdeacon of Central Otago]; Rev’d Canon Dr Michael Wallace [Dunedin City]

Laity: Mr Keith Gover [Southland]; Mr Theodore Rose [Dunedin]; Ms Nikki Gordon-Smith [Dunedin]; Dr Gillian Townsley [St Hilda's Collegiate Chaplain]. There is currently one vacant lay seat.

In Attendance each meeting

Mr Andrew Metcalfe (Diocesan Registrar - Kaiwhakahaere), Rev'd John Graveston (Diocesan Child, Youth, Family Educator), The Ven Barb Walker (Archdeacon of the Rural South), The Ven Sue McCafferty (Archdeacon of North and East Otago)

Diocesan Council Committees: (Click here)

Dunedin Diocesan Trust Board - DDTB

• Mr Stephen Grant (Chair)

• Mrs Janice Burton

• Rev’d Richard Johnson
  

• Ms Susie Johnstone

• Mr William Paterson
  

• Rev’d Eric Kyte

• Mr Brian Tegg

• One vacant seat - click here for information for potential Trustees.

In attendance: Ms Fiona Gray (Diocesan Accountant - Secretary), Mr Andrew Metcalfe (Diocesan Registrar - Kaiwhakahaere)

Other Information

The Diocesan Council is the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Dunedin Synod as regulated by Statute 1: To regulate the composition and procedures of the Diocesan Synod and to establish a diocesan council.

It has the authority to make decisions to develop, resource and support the Anglican Church to reveal and build the Kingdom of God in Otago & Southland: responding to God’s Call in Otago and Southland: Faith Communities reading the Bible, praying, living out the life of Jesus Christ. It must ensure its objectives and strategies are grounded in the teachings of the Bible, and that it’s decisions uphold its core apostolic mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his disciples.

The Trusts Board considers applications for vacancies on various Boards, Trusts and other Committees for Diocese of Dunedin organisations. It consists of voting Diocesan Council members.

The DDTB manages two investment funds (the Income Fund and the Growth Fund) as trustee for diocesan institutions. It also has legal ownership of all Diocesan properties i.e. it acts a trustee for all Diocesan institutions including local churches and parishes, who are the beneficial owners, who make use of these resources for their mission and ministry.

For any correspondence to the Diocesan Council or Trusts Board, contact Andrew Metcalfe: registrar@calledsouth.org.nz, Telephone (03) 488 0821. Any matters for these committees need to be received 7 days before scheduled meetings so that members have time to read all the material required. Diocesan Council usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

For DDTB related matters, contact Andrew Metcalfe or DDTB Secretary Fiona Gray accountant@calledsouth.org.nz. The DDTB usually meet on the first Tuesday of each month. 

Diocesan Council and (joint) DDTB Meeting Schedule 

Diocesan Council is (mostly) meeting on the third Tuesday of each month:

16 December – Full meeting (final one for 2025)

Please continue to hold the Diocesan Council, Trusts Board and the DDTB in your prayers. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was used to help edit this article.