Choosing Life Means Choosing Love     “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear but

Called From Performance to Transformation: Salt and Light for Today   [Jesus said] “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the sa

E te whanau o Waiapu, It is with sadness I advise The Reverend Rosemary Russell died 22 January 2026 at the age of 91. Rosemary was among the first five women ordained priests by Bishop Paul Reeves in 1977, during the historic weekend that marked the ordination of the first women priests in Aotearoa New Zealand. She served faithfully for many years as a non‑stipendiary priest at St Luke’s, Rotorua. Rosemary was a devoted and compassionate priest, deeply committed to social

Last Call: Faith Giving Life Survey Closes Soon   Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to complete the survey. We’re grateful for the high level of engagement and the thoughtful, honest reflections shared. Your input really matters and is already shaping our understanding of the current health, culture, and priorities across our diocese. What is working well, what the challenges are, and how we can better support ministry, leadership, and our life together.  

A Life Shaped by God   Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the Lord has a case against his people, and he will contend with Israel.   “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you

Call and Transformation   Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you pers

We are not alone: through Lent with the Saints , the 2026 Lenten study booklet for the Diocese of Waiapu, prepared by Ministry Educator, Rev’d Dr Deborah Broome.  This is suitable for both small groups and for individuals to do on their own.   There are six studies, corresponding to the six weeks of Lent. Each of these engages with some aspect of the values and strategic priorities we have here in the Anglican Diocese of Waiapu, with discussion of the week’s theme, Biblical p

Called by God: Come and See The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know

The Best News of All   In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who w

The Waiapu Anglican Centre has now vacated its premises at 2 Bower Street, Napier. Due to a slight delay in completing the fit-out of our new office, staff will begin moving into the new location at 21 Hastings Street, Napier from 5 January. We appreciate your understanding during this transition and look forward to welcoming you to our new space soon.

E te whānau a te Karaiti / Dear friends in Christ, I write to you with the news that The Reverend Tony Kippax has advised me that he has accepted an offer by The Right Reverend Ross Bay, Bishop of Auckland, to take up the role of Canon Precentor at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, in Auckland. We welcomed Tony and Christine to the Parish of Ōtūmoetai in August 2023, and they quickly made their home among us here in the parish and in the Diocese of Waiapu. We will miss their

Concrete joy when it’s needed   The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.    

We’re excited to share that the Diocesan Office is relocating to a new home! Our new address will be 21 Hastings Street, Napier, right beside the Napier Cathedral. This move follows the sale of our current premises at 2 Bower Street. The transition is already underway, and we expect to be fully settled in by Wednesday 17 December 2025. During this period, there may be some minor disruptions to our availability, but we’ll do our best to respond promptly. Our contact details re

Message from a weirdo In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘ Prepare the way of the Lord;    make his paths straight.’ ” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all

By Rev’d Birgitta Rolston Waiapu Cathedral, 29 November 2025   I was privileged to be ordained Deacon at Waiapu Cathedral last weekend and have been asked to write a brief article about my experience. It is actually difficult to know where to start, as really my whole discernment and formation process [to date, as this is on-going of course] has been leading towards my experiences on Saturday, but that would mean writing a book! So – highlights of the event itself! One of the

Under the summer sun, the people of Tolaga Bay gathered on Saturday to celebrate a milestone that speaks to both faith and community; the 100-year anniversary of the opening of St Andrew's Church Hall. St Andrew's was built in 1913 for the cost of 678 pounds and was dedicated on 23 November 1913 by the Right Reverend Alfred Averill, Bishop of Waiapu at a service attended by over 250 people. In 1925, the parish hall was built and became a cornerstone in community life. From th

Wake Up to Hope – A Fresh Start for Advent    Jesus said: “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so, too, will be the coming of the Son o

Christ the King: A Throne Made of Wood   When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldier