October Newsletter
Kia ora whānau,
Keep going in the good work
As we step into the final quarter of 2026 and begin the familiar slippery slope towards Christmas, the pace can certainly start to pick up.
For many of you working across the faith-based for-purpose sector, this has already been a full year of serving, leading, giving, responding and carrying responsibility. So, before the end-of-year rush really begins, we simply want to say: we see you, we appreciate you, and we are cheering you on.
A verse that feels particularly fitting is:
“Let us not become weary in doing good.” Galatians 6:9
It’s a simple encouragement, but an important one. The work you do matters. Much of it happens quietly, faithfully and without fanfare, but through it communities are strengthened, people are cared for, organisations are equipped and the love of Christ is made visible in countless ways.
One of the great privileges of our work at Wilberforce is meeting the wonderful people who make up this sector. Over recent weeks, through our Scholarship Alumni Dinner, BoardCraft Advanced governance training and our Lunch & Learn webinars, I’ve again been struck by the calibre, commitment and generosity of the people serving across Aotearoa.
Every conversation is a reminder of just how much good work is happening, often through people who simply get on with what God has put in front of them. I have enormous admiration for your dedication to the people, communities and causes you serve.
So, as the year begins to accelerate towards its conclusion, take a moment to be encouraged. What you are doing matters. Keep going. Keep serving faithfully. And know that we at Wilberforce consider it a real privilege to work alongside you.
I hope to meet many more of you next week at the Good News for Aotearoa Forum and also at the upcoming Auckland Prayer Breakfast. If you’re there, please do come and say hello.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Melanie Grace
Acting CEO, Wilberforce Foundation
Good News for Aotearoa 2026: Kicks off next week!
We are now 1 week away from gathering for Good News for Aotearoa. Have you got tickets? We still have space for you and a friend.
We are delighted to welcome Dan Paterson (Questioning Christianity) as our keynote speaker. Across four powerful sessions, Dan will help us make sense of our cultural moment through Scripture—exploring deep spiritual hungers, remaining faithful in challenging times, taking Jesus public with conviction, and equipping the next generation.
We also have a fantastic range of local leaders from around Aotearoa speaking. Three speakers you won't want to miss are:
Michael Jenkins
Director of Catalyst Movement.
Jo Hood
Visionary of Mainly Ministries and founder of Mainly Music.
Rev. Keri-Ann Hokianga
Ordained minister in the Māori Anglican Church, and full-time staff member of TSCF in Auckland
You can meet all our speakers on our Facebook page, and get your tickets by clicking below.
Could the Consulting Panel help unlock your next big project?
Is there a significant project or piece of work your organisation knows would make a real difference, but has struggled to find the capacity or funding to get underway?
The Wilberforce Foundation Consulting Panel was established to provide targeted funding for organisations within the Wilberforce community. Its purpose is to part-fund specific capacity-building projects that have the potential to create lasting change within an organisation.
We’re particularly interested in work that is catalytic and transformational, helping
an organisation strengthen its capability, tackle an important challenge, or make a
significant step forward.
One recent example is the Bishop’s Action Foundation (BAF), which, with support from the Wilberforce Consulting Panel, engaged specialist Justin Stevenson to implement a Social Dividend Model. The project helped BAF better align its financial reporting with its mission and social outcomes, providing a clearer picture of the value the organisation was creating.
What could it unlock for your organisation?
Perhaps there’s a substantial piece of work you’ve been wanting to tackle, that
additional funding and specialist expertise would help make it possible.
If you have an idea for a project that could build your organisation’s capacity and leave a lasting legacy of change, we’d love to hear about it.
Get in touch with Simon at simon@wilberforce.org.nz to start a conversation about whether the Consulting Panel could help.
Governing for Greater Impact
In September, 14 experienced governors gathered for the BoardCraft Advanced Programme, a one-day workshop designed to go deeper into the opportunities and challenges of effective governance.
Led by Dr Peter Crow, the day combined practical governance insight, case studies and peer discussion. Participant feedback was strongly positive, with all respondents agreeing the workshop was a worthwhile use of their time and helped them feel more confident and effective in their governance roles.
One participant captured a key theme:
“Boards are increasingly seeing their role as compliance, when it is actually
strategic.”
Others left with practical ideas they could apply immediately, from reviewing board
composition and succession planning to reshaping board meetings to create greater space for strategy and forward thinking.
Another participant summed up something of the spirit of the day:
“Thanking God for this valuable input into the ministries out there trying their best to navigate this governance area of what we have been called to.”
A huge thank you to Dr Peter Crow for bringing together his extensive governance experience, technical knowledge and faith to help equip governors serving faith-based and for-purpose organisations.
BoardCraft will be back in 2027, with plans to continue the pathway through
Chairing Well, BoardCraft: Governing for Impact, and Advanced BoardCraft: Governing for Greater Impact.
Interested in joining us in 2027?
We’d love to hear from you. Register your expression of interest, and we’ll keep you updated as programme dates and details are confirmed.
Scholarships Alumni Dinner: celebrating connection and Christian leadership
On 25 September, we gathered for our annual Wilberforce Scholarships Alumni
Dinner, bringing together around 30 alumni, coaches and Scholarship Committee members for an evening of food, conversation and connection.
It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with people who have been part of the scholarship programme over the years and to celebrate the diverse ways they are continuing to grow, serve and contribute. Our speakers, Dr Shireen Chua and Masters student Pena Ofe, encouraged those gathered as they shared with the group.
The dinner reflects something increasingly important within the Wilberforce scholarship programme: scholarship support is about more than financial assistance.
Alongside funding, we are seeking to strengthen relationships between scholars, alumni, coaches and the wider Wilberforce community.
Since 2011, the Wilberforce scholarship programme has been investing in the formation and development of Christian leaders across Aotearoa, equipping people who will contribute to the future of the Church and the wider faith-based for-purpose sector. The Alumni Dinner is one small but significant way to continue those relationships beyond the period of study, creating space to reconnect, encourage one another, and strengthen a growing community of Christian leaders.
We are grateful to everyone who joined us this year, and especially to those who shared their stories and helped make the evening such a meaningful time together.
LUNCH AND LEARN
The Braided River: Rethinking Evangelism for a New Generation
How do children and young people discover Jesus here in Aotearoa, New Zealand, in a generation increasingly unfamiliar with Christianity?
Drawing on Scripture Union New Zealand's Evangelism Project and more than 150 faith stories from young people and leaders, this session explores how SUNZ sought to answer that question and came up with a fresh framework for evangelism that is relational, Spirit-led, and grounded in the realities of contemporary New Zealand.
This practical and encouraging session will challenge ministry leaders to move beyond formula-driven approaches and partner with the Holy Spirit in helping young people discover, follow, and be transformed by Jesus.
About our guest
Hilary Hague is the National Director of Scripture Union New Zealand, a movement dedicated to helping children and young people discover Jesus and become lifelong disciples. She is passionate about mission-centred churches, organisational renewal and leadership development and particularly enjoys mentoring and equipping leaders, helping them to grow in confidence and use their gifts for the Kingdom.
Did you miss this webinar?
In this session, Dr Samuel Carpenter draws on the lives of Henry (Karuwhā) Williams and Marianne Williams—a couple who were early missionaries in Aotearoa New Zealand—to share five powerful lessons in courage, faith, and conviction.
Explore what it looked like to stand firm and faithfully navigate cultural change and tension in challenging circumstances. Their legacy continues to have an impact today, demonstrating depth of courage and humility in leadership.
The Calendar Corner
Stay up to date with these upcoming events and important dates from our previous newsletters and announcements.
Good News for Aotearoa Conference:
(Oct 2026)
Come along next week to Good News for Aotearoa Conference:
On Friday 16th & Saturday 17th October 2026, Journey Church, Auckland
With Dan Paterson - an evangelist, apologist, pastor and snake catcher as our keynote speaker.
Wilberforce Community Newsletter
Our Community Newsletter is a place for you, our community, to promote and share any announcements, stories, job opportunities or events. Please send them to us.
All articles should be sent to news@wilberforce.org.nz
The newsletter will be distributed on the third Wednesday of every month.
Thank you for your continued engagement, and we look forward to hearing from you..
