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.
News and Announcements
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Read more: The Anglican Diocese does not control a property empire
The Anglican Diocese does not control a property empire
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Read more: Primatial Announcement: Bishop-elect Announced for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te
Primatial Announcement: Bishop-elect Announced for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te
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Read more: Christ Church Cathedral lit to honour NZ servicemen and women
Christ Church Cathedral lit to honour NZ servicemen and women
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Read more: Holy Week and Easter Services
Holy Week and Easter Services
Anglican e-Life
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 10 June 2026
Anglican e-Life | 10 June 2026
Dear Friends,
Thank you for praying for Bishop Susan Wallace, prior to her ordination as bishop and installation as Te Pihopa o Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu on Saturday in the Transitional Cathedral. The service was a joyful and memorable occasion with a very full congregation. See further reporting in this e-Life and on Anglican Taonga. It was wonderful that The Press on Monday morning gave its report of the service front page treatment. On Sunday morning it was good to be present at Te Hepara Pai, at Te Pa o Te Waipounamu, for Bishop Susan’s first service as a bishop.
On Sunday it was announced that the Reverend Simon Green will be the next Vicar of the Parish of Opawa-St. Martins. His induction service will be at 3pm Sunday 28 June 2026 in St. Mark’s Church, 101 Opawa Road, Christchurch. All are welcome to this service.
Yesterday, Archdeacon Indrea Alexander and I led the deconsecration service for St. Andrew’s, Tinwald in the Parish of Ashburton. It was moving to have memories shared from within the gathered congregation, including reminders of the era when this church was full each Sunday. Active church attendance patterns have changed in the past 60 or so years so that the buildings that serve us across the Diocese are changing. There will be more church sales in the years ahead as we consolidate congregational life on fewer sites.
The commissioning of the Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor as the new Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera will take place during Evensong, 5pm, this Sunday 14 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral. Clergy are invited to robe, with Green the colour for stoles. All are welcome from all Archdeaconries to this service.
I am pleased to share that a new lift will be installed at the Anglican Centre at Cardale House between approximately Monday, 22 June and Friday, 10 July. This important accessibility upgrade will help ensure our diocesan offices remain welcoming and accessible to all. There may be some disruption associated with the installation works, although access to the building will remain open. Thank you for your patience and understanding as this work is completed.
Catch Network is offering 2026’s Little Revolutions conference in Christchurch, Friday 26 to Saturday 27 June, at Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, Christchurch. Details are available, with the programme on their website. Invited speakers include Archbishop Justin Duckworth.
I am very pleased to promote our next Diocesan Youth Group Games Night for Years 7 to 13. This will take place, 7pm – 9pm on Friday, 3 July at the Bishopdale Recreation Centre, 13A Bishopdale Court, Bishopdale. There will be prizes for the Best Dressed, Best Team Chant, and more 😊. Please register your Youth Group today: youth@anglicanlife.org.nz. This will be a wonderful way to end this term!
Many years ago, when I was a Nelson Diocesan member of the General Synod/Te Hīnota Whānui, I was always impressed by the contributions of Professor Whatarangi Winiata. He was a visionary thinker, keen to advance the neglected interests and concerns of Tikanga Māori, and a master of synod process in his astute moving of motions and amendments. His influence within Te Ao Māori extended well beyond Te Hāhi Mihinare. Last week Professor Winiata died and his contribution to life in NZ and in the Anglican Church is measured by two articles, on RNZ and on Anglican Taonga. In the latter article, Professor Winiata’s significant contribution to the development of our church as a Three Tikanga church is noted in this way:
“At the 1984 General Synod, Winiata successfully proposed the establishment of a Bicultural Commission to study the Treaty of Waitangi and consider how the Church might engage in bicultural development, while also advising on how the principles of the Treaty could be embodied across church life. By 1990, this work led to proposals to revise the Church’s constitution and structure. This process resulted in Te Pouhere, the 1992 constitutional reform under which the Church continues to be governed.”
Yesterday, while in Ashburton, I learned through a friend that the Reverend Paul Bathurst, formerly a clergyman of this Diocese, died about a month ago, having been a resident in Whangarei for some years.
For those who may be interested, I have published some thoughts on the Pope’s recently published encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which is largely but not exclusively interested in the impact of AI on our humanity. Within that blogpost is a link to a recent podcast I took part in, facilitated by a Canterbury-based Catholic priest, Fr John O’Connor. Also noted there, and perhaps of particular interest to those seeking some deep theological appreciation and critique of the encyclical is a link to an article by Ilia Delio, “Teilhard de Chardin points to what Pope Leo missed in ‘Magnifica Humanitas’”.
I haven’t made comment for some weeks on the situation in the Middle East. In many ways that is because, tragically, there is nothing new to say: there should be peace and there is not. Nevertheless, we could and should continue to pray, with hope in Christ, that the way to peace and the way to justice are found, for there is no peace without justice and there is no justice when war continues.
This coming Sunday, 14 June 2026 is Ordinary 11 and the Gospel is Matthew 9:35-10:8. Obviously this passage is all about mission, about the mission of Jesus and the role of the disciples in that mission and thus our role in the continuing mission of Jesus as we not only read the Gospel but receive it with a view to acting on it (spurred, of course, by the last words of Jesus in this Gospel, the so called Great Commission, 28:16-20. Within what is said here about mission there is a call to prayer (9:38) and a call to “go”, to proclaim the good news in word and through deeds (10:5-8).
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 3 June 2026
Anglican e-Life | 3 June 2026
Dear Friends,
Please pray for Bishop-elect Susan Wallace, who is now in retreat preparing for her ordination as bishop and installation as Pihopa o Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu at 11am, Saturday 6 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford Street, Christchurch. The preacher will be Archbishop Marinez Santos Bassotto, the Primate of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil. All are welcome to the Transitional Cathedral on Saturday. Please note that traffic restrictions in streets bordering the Transitional Cathedral, due to the Crusaders game at 4.35pm at Te Kaha, do not begin until 2pm that afternoon.
On Sunday it was announced to acclamation at a combined church service for the Parishes of Methven, Mayfield-Mt Somers and Rakaia, that Standing Committee has approved their merging into one Parish of Mid Canterbury. This is an important development for the coherency of our ministry and mission in this large portion of the Mid Canterbury Archdeaconry. A very big thank you to the Reverend Sage Burke, Archdeacon Indrea Alexander and the wardens and vestries of these three parishes for their work on preparing for this merger.
Last Sunday was the Reverend Dr Hugh Bowron‘s last Sunday in the Parish of Kaiapoi where he has been the Interim Priest-in-Charge. Thank you, Hugh, for your ministry in Kaiapoi.
This Sunday, 7 June, is the Reverend Helen Roud‘s last Sunday as Vicar of the Parish of Addington. Thank you, Helen, for your ministry leadership at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin through the past eight years. Helen’s ministry focus will continue to be on her role in delivering Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in Christchurch.
Having recently commended “Connected to the Vine” prayer workshops on e-Life, I am pleased to report that nine parishes have expressed an interest in this workshop being held in their parish this year. Some have invited ecumenical partners which is encouraging. In good news, there will be more space next year to hold a workshop in other ministry units in the Diocese. The “Connected to the Vine” team consists of Mother Alena CSN, Glenda Prosser, Eddie O’Connor, Jack Hollis, and Archdeacon Nick Mountfort. Different traditions and styles of individual prayer will be offered, and we will practise them together. If your ministry unit would like us to come, then email Nick at education@anglicanlife.org.nz Further details are at “Connected to the Vine” prayer workshops.
I am delighted that a much-needed upgrade to the kitchen at Sister Eveleen Retreat House has been completed and thank SERH Board member Dugald Wilson and his hardworking team for their work on this renovation.
Congratulations to the Reverends Annette and Harvey Eggleston (Ashburton) who celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary today!
Next Tuesday 9 June, at 5.30pm, I will deconsecrate St. Andrew’s Church, Tinwald in the Parish of Ashburton, preparatory to it being listed for sale. All are welcome to this brief service and refreshments following. Note, for those who know our Tinwald properties, that the church hall on the other side of Thomson Street is not being sold.
The commissioning of the Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor as the new Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera will take place during Evensong, 5pm, Sunday 14 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral. Clergy are invited to robe, with Green the colour for stoles. All are welcome from all Archdeaconries to this service.
This weekend past, Teresa and I were able to travel to Methven, Waimate and Tekapo, meeting with clergy and lay leaders, and participating in services in St. Augustine’s, Waimate on Sunday morning, and in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Tekapo in the late afternoon. It was a joy to be with God’s people in these places and to experience ways in which regeneration is taking place in our churches.
I am very pleased to give an advance notice for our next Diocesan Youth Group Games Night for Years 7-13. This will take place, 7pm – 9pm on Friday, 3 July at the Bishopdale Recreation Centre, 13A Bishopdale Court, Bishopdale. There will be prizes for the Best Dressed, Best Team Chant, and more 😊. Please register your Youth Group today: youth@anglicanlife.org.nz. This will be a wonderful way to end this term!
This coming Sunday, 7 June 2026 is Ordinary 10, or Te Pouhere Sunday, and the Gospel for Ordinary 10 is Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. In this passage Jesus teaches the importance of mercy (9-13) and the associated stories of healing (18-26) illustrate the point Jesus makes: we bring our troubles in life to God whose character is merciful. If, alternatively, we celebrate the constitution (Te Pouhere) of our church (for which four gospel reading choices are given), then we might reflect on the quality of mercy which runs through our constitution as it sets down in writing how three tikanga (cultural streams) will relate to each other with kindness, respect and fairness.
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 27 May 2026
Anglican e-Life | 27 May 2026
Dear Friends,
Last Thursday evening, it was a privilege to be part of A Service of Thanksgiving and Praise for Ministry at St. Martin’s, Loburn (Parish of Rangiora), as part of a sequence of final services for this church. On Sunday, it was good to celebrate Pentecost at St. Mark’s, Opawa-St. Martins. In the course of that service, I was able to confirm Nathaniel, Stefan Hall, and Amber Hall. Please pray for them as they continue their journey with Jesus Christ.
Further south on Sunday morning, at St Mary’s, Timaru, Archdeacon Ben Randall was farewelled from his role as Vicar of St. Mary’s, Timaru. Thank you, Ben, for your ministry at St. Mary’s, and for your ministry as Archdeacon of South Canterbury. We wish you God’s rich blessings for the next chapter of your life and ministry. Please pray for Archdeacon Indrea Alexander as she adds the role of Acting Archdeacon of South Canterbury to her work.
As we draw closer to the ordination of Bishop-elect Susan Wallace at 11am, Saturday 6 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford Street, Christchurch, please pray for Susan, her family and Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu as they prepare with Archbishop Don Tamihere for this important occasion. All are welcome to the service and to the Pōwhiri preceding it at 9am, also in the Transitional Cathedral. I remind clergy to RSVP, according to an invitation they have been sent, if intending to be present.
I am delighted that the Christchurch City Council confirmed yesterday that it will commit $15m from surplus funds to the Cathedral’s reinstatement, conditional on central government also contributing $15m. We are not yet at the point of being able to commit to resumption of construction, but we are a significant step closer. Thank you for your prayers. Please keep praying as we still have a shortfall of $15m to find even when we assume that central government, following the election, does commit $15m. Let us pray with great faith in the God who provides!
Yesterday, Pope Leo published his first Encyclical (i.e. highest level of papal teaching short of formal, infallible pronouncements), Magnifica Humanitas. This encyclical is available to read/download here. Pope Leo’s purpose in this document is to “ask God for the wisdom to interpret the great trends of our time, particularly technological advances. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident how rapidly and profoundly digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are transforming our world”.
What unfolds in Magnifica Humanitas is theological engagement not only with the challenges and opportunities AI poses for humanity, but also with the challenges of this era for humanity to achieve the grandeur that God intends for us. Challenges such as war, modern slavery, and threats to democracy and the telling of truth in our societies are also discussed. Among things to catch my eye are the following: a great theme through this encyclical, drawn from Pope Paul VI’s, is the desirability of human civilisation being “the civilization of love”; the incompatibility of slavery in any and all forms, ancient and modern with the civilisation of love; a striking, summary description of a great challenge in the world of AI: “The dignity of work at a time of digital transition”; penetrating analysis of the potential of AI for good and for evil:
“The use of digital platforms and AI systems is driving profound changes in public and political communication. Tools that could foster dialogue and participation are often used to construct distorted narratives and blur the boundaries between truth and falsehood, mixing facts with opinions. Disinformation did not begin with AI, yet today it finds a powerful amplifier in AI. The ability to manipulate content, images and videos exposes people to biased or misleading perspectives. This problem has both cultural and moral dimensions, since the quality of public communication depends directly on social trust and, in turn, shapes it” (from Section 132).
Finally, among many brilliant paragraphs, I note this one to you:
“In the era of artificial intelligence, when human dignity is threatened by new forms of dehumanization, ours is the pressing duty to remain profoundly human. We must lovingly safeguard the grandeur of humanity bestowed upon us and revealed in its fullness in Christ, the splendor of which no machine can ever replace. True progress always stems from a heart open to others, an intelligence willing to listen and a will that seeks what unites rather than what separates” (from Section 15).
Within our Diocese some work is beginning on policy in respect of the use of AI as a tool for administration and ministry. Last night, the ADMSC Board (our diocesan finance Board) agreed to an AI policy for ADMSC employed staff in the Anglican Centre. After testing this policy for a few months, we will update it if needed, and share the policy more widely for vestries and other governing bodies in the Diocese to consider adapting and adopting for use.
The commissioning of the Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor as the new Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera will take place during Evensong, 5pm, Sunday 14 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral. Clergy are invited to robe, with Green the colour for stoles. All are welcome from all Archdeaconries to this service.
This coming Sunday, 31 May 2026 is Trinity, and the Gospel is Matthew 28:16-20. In this passage we have a relatively early distillation of what the earliest Christians were reflecting on, that they were experiencing through the teaching of Jesus, his testimony to the work of God in his life, and their own testimonies to the work of God in their lives, that the God of Israel, testified to in the ancient writings of Israel (the Old Testament) is God who is Father, who is Son and who is Holy Spirit. While Matthew’s Gospel offers no sign of any later debates about how God is Trinity – Three Divine Persons in One Being – Matthew’s reference to “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”, along with other expressions in the New Testament writings, drove the next generations of Christians forward in their engagement with the theo-ology/God-talk question, “What is the nature of God in the fullness of God’s revelation to humanity?”
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Read more: Anglican e-Life | 20 May 2026
Anglican e-Life | 20 May 2026
Dear Friends,
This week’s message is written from Ashburton, where our annual Clergy Conference is being held in St. Stephen’s church, Ashburton, hosted by Archdeacon Indrea Alexander and the Reverend Sage Burke, and parishioners who have provided wonderful food and service. The emphases in our talks have been on Discipleship and A Quiet Revival. I am very grateful to Archdeacon Nick Mountfort for his preparatory organisation for the conference and leadership through the conference itself.
I am very pleased to announce the following clerical appointments:
The Reverend Peter Hurricks will be the next Interim Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton, from Monday, 1 June 2026 until at least the end of this year.
The Reverend Prince Devanandan, currently Vicar of All Saints, Ponsonby, Auckland, will be the next Vicar of the Parish of Upper Riccarton and Yaldhurst, beginning on Thursday, 1 October 2026. Please pray for Peter and for Prince as they prepare to take up these new roles, and for Prince and Ramani, his wife, as they prepare to move to Christchurch.
Last week I wrote to Bishop Victoria Matthews to congratulate her on receiving a Doctorate in Divinity from the Trinity College, Faculty of Divinity at the University of Toronto. Anglican Taonga has the story of this award.
This week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and I encourage us in our personal and corporate prayers to pray for Christian unity, something Jesus himself prayed for (John 17). Anglican Taonga has a story about this year’s week of prayer and a link to resources for prayer contributed by the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church.
On Friday, Teresa, I and Corinne Haines, City Missioner, representing the Diocese and the Anglican Care Trust Board, were at the Youth Hub in Salisbury Street, Christchurch, for the opening of a new performing arts centre for the Hub. This centre extends the ability of the Youth Hub to provide space for youth in our city to find support and encouragement in the growth and development of their lives. It remains a privilege to be associated with this work through Anglican Care’s provision of the land under the Youth Hub’s buildings. Further details are here.
Congratulations to Sarah Muller and her husband, the Reverend Dr Andre Muller (Parishes of East Christchurch, Linwood-Aranui and Avonside) on the birth of their son last week.
A Service of Thanksgiving and Praise for Ministry at St. Martin’s, Loburn (Parish of Rangiora) will be held at 7.30pm, Thursday 21 May 2026 in the same church, which has been approved for sale.
The Cathedral Reinstatement Project continues to generate media interest, principally from The Christchurch Press. I ask every reader to pray for this Project, asking for God’s help in our hour of need, as various opinions are publicly voiced about what the Diocese should be doing, most without regard for ongoing costs of funding the wonderful and visionary missional commitments of the other 54 ministry units in our Diocese. The Cathedral Project is important to our overall Diocesan mission, as is the current mission of the Transitional Cathedral and each of the 54 parishes. Our hour of need for prayer includes the need for wisdom as we work out what is possible and what is impossible in the current situation. The particular funding crisis facing all parties to the Project at this time is this: if central government (via NZ First) and the Christchurch City Council contribute $15m each, CCRL raises a further $20m and the Diocese contributes a further $20m, then the plan to Reopen the Cathedral’s nave, tower and west porch remains $15m short of funds. Expectations that the Diocese might contribute to that $15m shortfall need to be tempered by the reality that it is a significant challenge to get to the $20m I have stated we are committed to securing. Let us pray with great faith in the God who provides!
The confirmed time and venue for the Episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect Susan Wallace is 11am, Saturday 6 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral, Hereford Street, Christchurch, with a Pōwhiri preceding it at 9am, also in the Transitional Cathedral. Please pray for Bishop-elect Susan and Archbishop Don Tamihere as they arrange the details of the Pōwhiri and Ordination service for this important day in the history of Te Hui Amorangi o Te Waipounamu. (All clergy have been emailed an invitation to this occasion).
It was good to be at the memorial service for the late Reverend Diane McEvedy held at St. Mary’s, Church Square, Addington on Saturday afternoon. There were many lovely tributes for a lovely priest who impacted many lives through her ministries as a teacher, social worker, spiritual guide and priest.
The commissioning of the Reverend Dr Joshua Taylor as the new Archdeacon of Selwyn-Tawera will take place during Evensong, 5pm, Sunday 14 June 2026 in the Transitional Cathedral. Clergy are invited to robe, with Green the colour for stoles. All are welcome from all Archdeaconries to this service.
Seeking Diocesan Youth Reps for our Synod on 3-5 September 2026. Note that there are two ways of representing the youth of the Diocese at Synod. One is that you can be elected as the Dio Youth Rep, with speaking and voting rights. The other is that you can be a Parish Youth Rep with speaking rights only. The pathway to becoming a Diocesan Youth Rep is to find someone to nominate you (i.e. your Youth Minister, Young Adults Leader, or Vicar) and to have your nomination for consideration to be a Diocesan Youth Rep emailed to youth@anglicanlife.org.nz by Monday 1 June with details, including involvement at your parish and support from Vicar/Youth or Young Adult Minister. If needed an election will be held on Monday, 15 June at a Pre-Synod youth gathering. Note that there can only be one Diocesan Youth representative from any single ministry unit of the Diocese. To become a Parish Youth Representative you have to be nominated and selected by your parish. Speak to your Youth Minister, Young Adults Leader, or Vicar about this if you are keen.
This coming Sunday, 24 May 2026 is Pentecost, and the Gospel is John 20:19-23 and the “Old Testament” reading is actually Acts 2:1-21, the story of the dramatic, fiery falling of the Spirit on the gathered apostles and disciples in Jerusalem. The Gospel reading, describing what some call “the Johannine Pentecost”, is undramatic, but points to the same reality as the Acts reading: the Holy Spirit is the breathe of God, the divine life breathed into God’s people to renew our lives with spiritual power and conviction of the truth of the gospel, so that we are empowered to take forward the mission of God: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21); “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). May we be similarly breathed into with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may faithfully and fearlessly continue his mission.
Arohanui,
+Peter.
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Is Christianity true?
What happens when I die?
Finding faith in a busy world.
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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