Our Vision
The Diocese through this decade is working on Regeneration. We dream of each of our ministry units being populated with new generations of believers. We pray for each of our churches to have a spread of generations in its congregations.
Our focus is on making disciples, strengthening families and building communities.
Come and join us!
Our Story
In 1850 Christchurch and the Canterbury plains and foothills were settled with migrants from Great Britain, many of whom were members of the Church of England. Anglican churches were founded. Anglican missioners shared the Good News with local Māori.
In 1856 the Diocese of Christchurch was established, Christchurch was declared a city by Queen Victoria, and Bishop Henry Harper arrived as our first bishop.
Nearly 170 years later we are onto our ninth bishop. The Diocese incorporates all of Canterbury, Westland and the Chatham Islands, divided into 54 parishes and one Cathedral ministry unit in the centre of Christchurch.
Safeguarding and Complaint Process
Safeguarding is about prevention of harm and early intervention to minimise the opportunity for the child, young person or vulnerable adult to be harmed.
If you wish to make a complaint about an office bearer in the Anglican Church (for example, a priest, deacon, bishop, licenced lay minister, trustee, etc) we encourage you to put it in writing and send it directly to the independent Registrar, either by email or post.
What is faith?
Is Christianity true?
What happens when I die?
Finding faith in a busy world.
Coming soon: We talk to 5 people with fresh stories of finding faith & community.
News and Announcements
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Read more: Holy Week and Easter Services
Holy Week and Easter Services
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Read more: Special e-Life: Announcement of Funding Contribution Towards Re:Opening of Christ Church Cathedral
Special e-Life: Announcement of Funding Contribution Towards Re:Opening of Christ Church Cathedral
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Read more: A Statement on the Middle Eastern Conflict: An Appeal for Peace
A Statement on the Middle Eastern Conflict: An Appeal for Peace
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Read more: Bishop Peter’s Christmas message 2025
Bishop Peter’s Christmas message 2025
Anglican e-Life
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 1 April 2026
Anglican e-Life | 1 April 2026
Dear Friends,
Please pray for all our Easter Campers preparing to head to Spencer Park, Christchurch, tomorrow, Maundy Thursday, to share in teaching, worship, fellowship and fun. Pray for excellent camping weather, and for the speakers and workshop leaders preparing their contributions to the camp.
Yesterday, there were two Chrism Eucharist services: at St Christopher’s, Avonhead in the morning and at St Mary’s, Geraldine in the evening where clergy reaffirmed their ordination vows. Last week, the nationwide Diocesan Children and Families Ministry Enablers met in Christchurch.
I am very pleased to announce two new parish appointments, announced in the respective parishes last Sunday. The Reverend Dr Meg Harvey will be the Vicar of Highfield, Kensington and Otipua (0.8 FTE) and the Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Marchwiel (0.2 FTE). Meg will begin on Friday 1 May 2026, with her Induction service taking place that evening in St. John’s, Highfield, Timaru. Meg is well-known to us having served in our Diocese since her ordination, most recently being Vicar of Amberley. The Reverend Sue Paton will be the Vicar of Temuka-Te Ngawai (1.0 FTE). She will begin on Monday 6 July with her Induction at 6pm, Wednesday 8 July 2026, in St. Peter’s, Temuka. Sue is currently the Precentor in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Wellington. Previously she served as Chaplain and Teacher at Wanganui Collegiate and St. George’s Schools, Whanganui. Sue’s origins, including ministry training and ordination were in South Africa, where she served for 16 years before moving to New Zealand with her husband Josh and their children.
Please give thanks to God for these appointments. Pray for Meg and Sue as they prepare for their new roles and for their respective parishes as they prepare for the arrivals of their new vicars. Please keep praying about other vacancies in the Diocese, that God will supply workers for the vineyard.
In the search for a new Pihopa o Te Waipounamu, two candidates have been announced for the election set down for Friday 17- Saturday 18 April 20-26: the Venerable Hannah Pomare and the Venerable Susan Wallace. Further details can be read here. Please pray for Hannah, Susan and all the electors within Te Waipounamu as they prepare for the electoral hui in two weeks.
The latest edition of AnglicanLife, our magazine, is available to read online. The theme of this edition is “Light in the Darkness” and it offers excellent reflections in this season of Holy Week and Easter.
Thank you to everyone in the Diocese who made a submission in favour of the Christchurch City Council investing funding in four key heritage projects in our city, including Christ Church Cathedral. I am also grateful to Winston Peters, in his capacity as leader of New Zealand First, announcing last Friday afternoon, that, if in position to be a partner in the next coalition government, he will negotiate for $15m of central government funds to be made available to the Cathedral project. In response to people asking me whether this means Anglicans should vote for NZ First, I share this response with you:
“No, but please pray that every voter who has indicated in polls that they will vote for NZ First does indeed do so.”
There has been quite a lot of talk about “A Quiet Revival” taking place in churches in Western countries, with a specific statistical report underpinning this concept for the UK. Then, a few days ago, it was revealed that the statistical analysis of UK survey data was flawed. Quite a flurry of comment has taken place since then. For one careful reflection of what this is all about, I commend reading Bishop Graham Tomlin‘s commentary here.
The final March 2026 Quiet Day was on Saturday 28 March at St. Alban’s, Pleasant Point. It has been a privilege to conduct the Bible studies on John 1-13 through these Saturday mornings and to have Archdeacon Nick Mountfort lead the gatherings in prayer during the afternoons. It was wonderful to be at worship at St. Alban’s, Pleasant Point in the Parish of Temuka-Te Ngawai on Sunday morning.
Through last weekend, the Cursillo Movement within our Diocese led a weekend short course in discipleship at Cracoft, Cashmere. I enjoyed being with participants in this weekend during the closing events of Sunday afternoon, including a closing Eucharist. Thank you to all who contributed to the preparation for and experience of this Cursillo event.
Some readers may have seen a TV news item about me offering a blessing for Te Kaha Stadium, during its official opening on Friday morning. It was a privilege to be asked to do this, and I am delighted that the clip on TV One News captured the moment when I spoke the name of Jesus Christ. The stadium is amazing and I am looking forward to being there one day for a sports event or music concert. Nevertheless, the stadium will pose some challenges for our services at the Transitional Cathedral. This Sunday, for example, will be a test case: 8,000 fans are due at the stadium at 5pm to watch the Warriors play a game on the big screens, at the same time as the Cathedral’s Easter Day Evensong.
Pope Leo has written a beautiful letter of support to Archbishop Sarah Mullaly on the occasion of her installation as Archbishop of Canterbury. His letter can be read here. In a world of division and war, the importance of Christians demonstrating unity has never been more important.
This Holy Week, we journey with Jesus to the cross. May all our services, especially services tomorrow night, Maundy (or Holy) Thursday, those held through the day on Good Friday, and then vigils on Holy Saturday deepen our heart identification with Jesus who lived, suffered, died and was buried for our sakes, that we might be reconciled to God.
Then, this coming Sunday, 5 April 2026, Easter Sunday, let’s hear the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ afresh. The Gospel reading is Matthew 28:1-10 and the Epistle reading is Colossians 3:1-4. We tell the story of Jesus rising from the dead and revealing himself to his followers (the Gospel). We also reflect on what the resurrection of Jesus means for our daily lives in 2026 as we follow Jesus and live in the power of his resurrection life (the Epistle).
Finally, please note there will be no e-Life next Wednesday 8 April.
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 25 March 2026
Anglican e-Life | 25 March 2026
Dear Friends,
The deadline for submissions to be made in support of the Christchurch City Council investing funding in four key heritage projects in our city, including Christ Church Cathedral, is midnight, this Friday 27 March 2026. Please head to this link to make your submission. It would be very helpful of we had 250 further individual submissions between now and midnight Friday being made. Thank you to all readers who have already made submissions.
Many people have questions about the reinstatement project for the Cathedral. Dean Ben Truman has published online an excellent set of FAQ videos, which can be viewed here. Among recent opinion features in The Press about the cathedral’s reinstatement I commend “‘Rebuild the cathedral, or find a new name for our city’: A Ngāi Tahu view” by Professor Te Maire Tau in The Press (may be behind a paywall), and in this e-Life.
Early tomorrow morning, NZ time, Archbishop Sarah Mullally will be installed in Canterbury Cathedral as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. Several members of our church will be there, including our three Archbishops. The service will be broadcast on BBC1 from 2.30pm (UK time) and live streamed on YouTube. Head to this link. Please pray for ++Sarah as she is installed and pray that the Anglican Communion will work unitedly with her through the coming years.
Last Sunday morning Teresa and I participated in worship at Te Hepara Pai, Ferry Road, Woolston and enjoyed fellowship and hospitality afterwards. By the end of this week the nominated candidates for the election of the new Pihopa o Te Waipounamu will be made public. Please pray for these candidates, and all electors within Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu as they prepare for their Electoral Synod, Friday to Saturday, 17-18 April 2026.
Thank you to all who supported the Reverend Sammy Mould when she was ordained priest last Wednesday evening, and given her licence as the new Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Woodend-Pegasus.
Let’s continue to pray for peace, praying in hope, praying to the Prince of Peace, knowing that daily news informs us of continuing war and the loss of many innocent lives. Let’s pray for wisdom and compassion to prevail in our political leaders, especially as ramifications of the war with Iran begin to affect the whole world through rising costs for fuel and predictable consequential rises in everyone’s cost of living around the globe. As war and violence continues in the Middle East, it may be helpful to readers to view a recent webinar ‘Waging Peace in a World of Violence’ with NZ theologian Dr Chris Marshall, which you can watch here on YouTube. It is particularly timely as the horrific violence across West Asia/’Middle East’ continues to deteriorate.
The final March 2026 Quiet Day is this coming Saturday 28 March, 9am to 3pm, with Bible study/reflection in the morning, and prayer for the world and for the church in the afternoon at St Alban’s, Pleasant Point (morning Bible study/reflections on John chapters 11-13). Please bring your own lunch or plan to go to a nearby eating place. Morning tea provided. I will be preaching and presiding in St. Albans, Pleasant Point, 9.30am, Sunday 29 March.
Pamela McKenzie has died and her funeral is at 11am, Friday 27 March 2026, at St Barnabas, Fendalton. Pam was 95. She served in ministry and mission with her late husband Archdeacon Alan McKenzie through many decades, mostly in this Diocese, but also for a few years in the Diocese of Singapore. Pam will be much missed in the Parish of Fendalton and across the Diocese as a beloved, gracious servant-leader within the church. Please pray for the McKenzie family as they prepare for this week’s funeral service.
This coming Sunday, 29 March 2026 is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week. The Gospel reading is Matthew 21:1-11 (and, if following the readings for Passion Sunday as well, Matthew 26:14- 27:66). We currently live in a world where human “kingship” has led to multiple wars and global economic turmoil. Jesus follows the path of a different kind of kingship. What does this path say to us as his followers?
Today is the Feast of the Annunciation of our Saviour to the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the collects set down for the day is this:
God of grace,
Grant that Mary’s obedience may inspire us
To obey your will
And receive Jesus Christ in our hearts as Lord;
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
One God for ever. Amen.
Finally, please pray for all our Easter Campers preparing to head to Spencer Park, Christchurch, on Maundy Thursday next week, to share in teaching, worship, fellowship and fun. Pray for excellent camping weather, and for the speakers and workshop leaders preparing their contributions to the camp.
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 18 March 2026
Anglican e-Life | 18 March 2026
Dear Friends,
All are welcome to the Transitional Cathedral tonight, Wednesday 18 March, when the Reverend Sammy Mould will be ordained priest at 7pm. The Reverend Lucy Flatt, Vicar of Johnsonville, will be the preacher. Clergy should robe, alb and red stole. During this service Sammy will also be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Woodend-Pegasus.
Let’s continue to pray for peace, praying in hope, praying to the Prince of Peace, knowing that daily news informs us of continuing war and the loss of many innocent lives. Let’s pray for wisdom and compassion to prevail in our political leaders, especially as ramifications of the war with Iran begin to affect the whole world through rising costs for fuel and predictable consequential rises in everyone’s cost of living around the globe.
The Christchurch City Council is seeking submissions through this month on the question of investing more funds into four key heritage projects in the city, including Christ Church Cathedral. Please head to this link to make a submission. I ask that as many Anglicans as possible make a submission in favour of the Council supporting our Reinstatement Project so that we can complete it in a timely manner. Thank you!
Many people have questions about the reinstatement project for the Cathedral. Dean Ben Truman has published online an excellent set of FAQ videos, which can be viewed on this YouTube link.
The final two March 2026 Quiet Days are coming up. Each Quiet day runs from 9am to 3pm, with Bible study/reflection in the morning, and prayer for the world and for the church in the afternoon:
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9am to 3pm, this Saturday 21 March, The Anglican Centre, 95 Tuam Street, Christchurch (John chapters 7-10). I am preaching and presiding the following day, 10.15am, Sunday 22 March, in Te Hepara Pai, Te Pa o Te Waipounamu, Ferry Road, Woolston.
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9am to 3pm, Saturday 28 March, St. Alban’s, Pleasant Point (John chapters 11-13), with Sunday service in St. Albans, Pleasant Point, 9.30am, Sunday 29 March 2026.
All are welcome to these quiet days. Please bring your own lunch or plan to go to a nearby eating place. Morning tea provided. Our second weekend, based at the Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs, went very well – thank you Epiphany for your hospitality!
Pamela McKenzie has died and her funeral is at 11am, Friday 27 March 2026, at St. Barnabas, Fendalton Parish. Pam was 95. She served in ministry and mission with her late husband Archdeacon Alan McKenzie through many decades, mostly in this Diocese, but also for a few years in the Diocese of Singapore. Pam will be much missed in the Parish of Fendalton and across the Diocese as a beloved, gracious servant-leader within the church. Please pray for the McKenzie family as they prepare for next week’s funeral service.
This coming Sunday, 22 March 2026 is Lent 5. The Gospel reading is John 11:1-45. The high points in this story of Lazarus being raised from the dead are verses 25-27, where Jesus makes one of his seven “I am” declarations (25-26) and Martha, sister of Lazarus, responds with a faith-filled declaration that anticipates the ending of John 20, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 11 March 2026
Anglican e-Life | 11 March 2026
Dear Friends,
We continue to pray for peace, praying in hope, praying to the Prince of Peace, knowing that daily news informs us of continuing war. We pray for wisdom to prevail in our global and national leaders, especially as ramifications of the war begin to affect the whole world.
Last week, there was a pet blessing at St Margaret’s College. Chaplain Rev’d Stephanie Clay blessed the beloved pets of Years 1 to 6 students, amidst plenty of tails wagging, gentle purrs, and happy smiles. In this e-Life, there are also photos and reflections from last Friday’s World Day of Prayer services in Christchurch.
Christ Church Cathedral: Beginning on Friday, 13 March there will be another Open Weekend for visitors to walk through the cathedral. Places need to be booked. Please see details elsewhere in this e-Life.
Last Friday, a Special e-Life was published, informing e-Life readers that the Christchurch City Council is seeking submissions through this month on the question of investing more funds into four key heritage projects in the city, including our Cathedral. In that e-Life details were given about how to make a submission. Please head to this link. I ask that as many Anglicans as possible make a submission in favour of the Council supporting our Reinstatement Project so that we can complete it in a timely manner. Thank you!
Among Lenten “extra effort” possibilities this Lent are the following opportunities across our Diocese, March 2026 Quiet Days, when we can participate in Bible study together and then in prayer for the Diocese and for the world. Each Saturday will run from 9am to 3pm, with the morning spent in Bible study led by Bishop Peter, and the afternoon in prayer:
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This Saturday 14 March, Church of the Epiphany, Hanmer Springs (John chapters 4-6), with Sunday service in the Church of Epiphany, 10am on Sunday 15 March
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Saturday 21 March, The Anglican Centre, 95 Tuam Street, Christchurch (John chapters 7-10), with Sunday service in Te Hepara Pai, Ferry Road, Woolston, 10.15am, Sunday 22 March
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Saturday 28 March, St Alban’s, Pleasant Point (John chapters 11-13), with Sunday service in St. Albans, Pleasant Point, 9.30am, Sunday 29 March 2026.
All are welcome to these quiet days. Please bring your own lunch or plan to go to a nearby eating place. Morning tea provided. Our first weekend, based at All Saints’, Hokitika, went very well—thank you, All Saints for your hospitality!
The Reverend Sammy Mould will be ordained priest at 7pm on Wednesday 18 March, in the Transitional Cathedral. All are welcome to this service for which the Reverend Lucy Flatt, Vicar of Johnsonville, will be the preacher. Clergy should robe, alb and red stole.
The Reverend Helen Roud has announced that she will conclude her ministry as Vicar of St Mary the Virgin, Addington on Sunday 7 June 2026. I am very grateful for Helen’s eight years of ministry leadership in this parish. I am also grateful that Helen’s ministries in facilitating Clinical Pastoral Education courses based here in Christchurch will continue, along with her support for clergy through supervision.
Following a recent meeting with the Diocesan Council for World Mission, I encourage individuals and ministry units to continue generous support to the Anglican Missions Board, with special emphasis on each ministry unit maintaining or increasing their contributions to our “whole of Diocese” mission giving goal, as set each year at our annual Synod.
The Laidlaw Centre for Church Leadership is partnering with the School of Emotionally Healthy Leadership to deliver the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and Emotionally Healthy Relationships courses again in 2026. In the school, we’ll journey together as a small cohort of pastors and leaders from around Aotearoa. We’ll slow down to be with Jesus and rediscover leadership from the inside out through live teaching and virtual table groups. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is running online, Tuesday mornings 9.30am-12pm from 28 April to 16 June. Registrations are limited. Please see details elsewhere in this e-Life.
This coming Sunday, 15 March 2026 is Lent 4. The Gospel reading is John 9:1-41. A common theme across the Gospels, as well as other parts of the Bible, is whether people see well or are spiritually blind. Those who see well grasp who God is and what God asks of us. Those who are spiritually blind may have a limited understanding of the things of God but ultimately fail to grasp the most important things. These differences and tensions play out in this narrative, about the healing of a blind man. One point of great interest in the chapter is the way in which the healed man develops a greater insight into who Jesus is as the narrative unfolds.
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Our Purpose
To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
To respond to human need by loving service
To pursue peace and reconciliation
Protect the integrity of creation, sustain and renew the life of the earth