Mission Resourcing celebrates the grace offered by Conference 2022 to re-direct the responsibilities of funding the much-valued ministries for Tauiwi Children, Young People and Families. There is renewed hope and excitement for children and young people as Te Hāhi re-commits to secure funding and thus reviving the work of the National Co-ordinator TCYFM and his strong team of young supporters.

Conference 2013 sanctioned the formation of the Children, Youth & Families Ministries, as well as approving an appointment for a National Co-ordinator subject to sufficient funds being found.

Mission Resourcing appointed Michael Lemanu as the National Co-ordinator in 2014 who was received and acknowledged by Conference that year. In acknowledging also the original generous donations from Te Taha Māori, the Wellington Methodist Charitable Trust, the PAC Distribution Group and the fundraising activities of various parishes and synods, Conference 2014 was confident that there were sufficient funds in the kitty to proceed with this appointment for the initial term of three years.

In order for these Ministries to continue beyond three years, Conference 2014 directed Mission Resourcing to continue the application to the PAC Endowment Fund for up to $1.5 million in order to secure the position of a National Co-ordinator for the future.

While PAC is committed to serving other arms of Te Hāhi, it has been an onerous task for Mission Resourcing since 2017, at the completion of the initial three years, to seek other funding to supplement the contribution from PAC in response to our yearly application for the funding of the TCYFM National Co-ordinator role.

In accordance with their value, Mission Resourcing asked Conference 2022 for new direction and assistance in support of these vital ministries in the life of the church and communities. In response, Conference sanctioned that the President will second a cross-section of individuals from Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa, with financial and legal skills, to form a Group tasked with carrying out investigations of the PAC fund to allow these to finance the Tauiwi Ministry for Children, Young People and Families into the future.

It was not easy to get this decision over the line, but with gratefulness we believe it is the starting point of real change being possible in the church in relation to the Ministries to Children, Young People and Families of the Hāhi. We look forward with hope to a new beginning of serving children and young people and their families.

We acknowledge years of hard work of National Co-ordinator Michael Lemanu and the invaluable support of Te Taha Māori, synods and parishes’ youth leaders and young people throughout the church and beyond.