Peter Stead was born in Lawrence, Central Otago on 26 February 1923. One hundred years on friends and family came together in North Auckland to celebrate his birthday and his remarkable contribution to church, family and community.

Auckland Methodist supernumeraries, Rev Barry Jones and Rev Mervyn Dine, joined others at St Chad’s Anglican Church for a well-attended party after Sunday morning worship where they presented Peter with a birthday card from his supernumerary colleagues in the Auckland and Manukau Districts.

Later in the afternoon friends and family gathered at his home in Kumeu, Auckland to continue the celebrations. Many references were made to Peter’s contribution to community and family, and his love for his wife Ngaio, daughters Stephanie, Rachel and Paula, his four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Peter celebrated his 21st birthday during the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy in February 1944. Within a couple of years of returning from the war, he candidated for the ministry. Peter was Methodist District Superintendent in the Waikato and the Manawatu, and President in 1976. His preaching was insightful and challenging, his pastoral care noteworthy and his character modelled after his Lord and Master. There is no perfect minister but many have said Peter Stead got closer than most.

Footnote

Following the death of Rev Michael Jackson Campbell in March, Peter has now become Father of The Conference, a title given to the Presbyter whose name appears on the top of the Chronological List and Record of Years of Service in the Conference Yearbook.