A message from the Bishop of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand, Pastor Mark Whitfield

Kia ora and hello, dear sisters and brothers,

Grace and peace to you in Jesus.  

I’m sure you will have seen reports on your news about the serious flooding situations in the Auckland and Bay of Plenty regions here in Aotearoa–New Zealand. I am writing to invite all members of the LCANZ to pray for all those impacted by these extreme weather events, even as our prayers go out to those in several regions in Australia which are still facing flood crises. LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith is also urging prayerful support for the people of New Zealand through this time.

Last Friday evening (27 January) the city of Auckland and some surrounding regions were subjected to a massive weather event. Auckland, home to 1.6 million people, was hit with the equivalent of nearly a full summer’s worth of rain in just 15 hours. More than 25 suburbs have been impacted. Parts of neighbouring regions, the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Northland, and Coromandel regions have also experienced flooding, slips and damage to roads and infrastructure. Sadly, four people have also died. 

This past Tuesday (31 January) these locations were hit with yet more rain and subsequent flooding. These are likely to be among New Zealand’s most destructive and costly weather events. It is estimated that insurance claims will exceed $1 billion, and that some damage will take years to repair.

You have Lutheran sisters and brothers living in the places most affected by these floods (in Auckland and Tauranga), and some of these people have suffered damage to property. Thanks be to God, there has been no loss of life amongst our people.

Our pastoral leaders in Auckland, Nich Kitchen (Mountainside) and Mark Tung (Botany), have asked for continued prayers for people in these areas, including those in the wider community they know to be really struggling. They also say many people are feeling very nervous and anxious about what may be yet to come.

This week I wrote to Lutherans in these affected regions and told them that, even as they were being challenged with more rain, we as the Lutheran Church assured them of our love and our prayers that they would be kept safe, and that the work of clean up and restoration would go smoothly in coming days. 

I invite you to pray with me for those members of your whānau (family) who are suffering.

E te Ariki, whakarongo mai ki tā mātou īnoi
Kia tae atu ā mātou tangi ki a koe.
Lord, hear our prayer
and let our cry come to you.

Thank you on behalf of your friends in Aotearoa–New Zealand.

With love in Christ,
Pastor Mark Whitfield
Bishop of the Lutheran Church of Aotearoa–New Zealand