As Waitangi Day 2025 was overshadowed by anger at the introduction of the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, MCNZ President Te Aroha Rountree attracted rousing applause and widespread media attention.

Mihi Mauriora ki a tātou katoa He Honore, he korōria ki te Atua He maungarongo ki te whenua He whakaaro pai ki ngā tāngata katoa E koekoe te tūī, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū

Methodism in Aotearoa has always been at the forefront of social justice issues, advocating for the vulnerable and disadvantaged. The Treaty Principles Bill has triggered a strong response from people and parishes.

Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa the Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand stands at a significant crossroads in our journey of justice, reconciliation and faithful witness in this country.

In December last year Trinity Methodist Theological College celebrated a series of significant academic achievements and honours coinciding with its 180th anniversary.

The first Te Taha Māori hui Poari for 2025, hosted by Taitokerau Rohe at Te Puna o Te Matauranga marae, Raumanga in Whangarei was held on Friday 31 January and Saturday 1 February.

In November the Auckland Ecumenical Lay Preachers (AELP) Gathering brought lay preachers and worship leaders together online for a thought-provoking session exploring Shaping Worship Across Generations.

The Housing Minister Chris Bishop honoured a promise made to Jill Hawkey, CMM Executive Director, some years ago when he visited Ōtautahi recently to open a new housing complex at Wesley Village.

The transformation of Wesleyhaven - Wesley Community Action‘s former aged-care facility in Naenae, Wellington - Into a vibrant, intergenerational community is taking another exciting step forward.

Since the end of last year’s very successful South Island Synod School of theology held at Aldersgate, Ōtautahi, a group have been working towards this year’s event.

In paying our rates and taxes we are not merely contributing to the wellbeing of society, but to the kind of community (or kingdom) that God desires. Changes to our tax system should reflect a Gospel imperative to support the disadvantaged.

On 8 December, the Waitakere Methodist Parish held an ecumenical candlelight service at Glen Eden Methodist Church.

We take this opportunity to introduce and welcome journalist and media communications advisor Iliesa Tora as a new Touchstone contributor.

The Wellington Methodist Parish welcomed two of their new ministers over two days of traditional and spiritual confirmations in the last week of January at the Wellington Methodist Church in Taranaki.

Climate-induced migration has become a pressing concern, particularly for low-lying Pacific nations such as Kiribati and Tuvalu. These countries are experiencing significant challenges due to rising sea levels, which threaten their very existence.

Aue Ihoa tiakina tō iwi Morehu ... E te whetu o te ata tiro mai ki tō iwi e noho nei Huakina mai e koe he ngākau, te manawa huarahi Aue Ihoa, aue aue manaakitia mātou Hei whakaū te waka nei te rangimārie

Kia ora koutou! Ngā mihi o te tau hou! I had a most excellent holiday over Christmas time, and I hope you are all also feeling invigorated for 2025!

Our regular cartoon that finds the funny, and sometimes not so funny, side of faith.

There’s a poster on some of our noticeboards at Tamahere which says, “Residents don’t live in our workplace, we work in their home”.

Front and centre for the first half of this year is planning for the UCANZ forum, set down for King’s Birthday Weekend, 31 May to 2 June at Onehunga Co-operating Parish in Auckland.

I’ve been sewing. We didn’t have a lectern fall or hanging for ordinary time in the church which is any time in the church year when a green stole is worn.

Fakafeta’I ‘etau ma’u ‘a e ta’ufo’ou ko ‘eni. Happy New Year to all NZMWF District leaders and members across the motu.

How do you celebrate returning to school at the beginning of a new year? The Tongan children at Hamilton East Methodist Church had a very special Sunday, Sapate Ako.

The Methodist Mission and Ecumenical Board is funding the educational and living expenses of the three children of Brian and Dima Bird, who are currently enrolled at the Pacific Theological College (PTC).

Palestinian families have begun making their way back to their homes in Gaza. Mostly they walk through the dust and rubble of a war that is not over.

Don Cupitt, initiator of the Sea of Faith Network in the United Kingdon, which led to similar networks in New Zealand and Australia, died in January year aged 90.

Flow is an animated and imaginative delight. A meowing cat must face her fear of water. In the face of rising waters, the cat sees a passing boat. Making a leap of faith, the cat pounces into a floating animal ark.

Many of us have appreciated the concept of pilgrimages, and may even have undertaken pilgrimages ourselves.

The 2010 film, The Way, about El Camino de Santiago/The Way of St James, introduced many New Zealanders to Christian pilgrimage.

The Wesley Historical Society Journal adds to our understanding of several significant moments in the life of Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa. WHS President Rev Ian Faulkner provides an overview of the contents of the 2024 Journal.

We simply must take Te Tiriti o Waitangi seriously. The Treaty - its words, their meaning and their intention – have come under closer scrutiny in 2025 than for some time. Already we are aware that it is, for many, a divisive issue.