May Newsletter
From Chris Clarke, CEO,
The 10th of April 2025 will go down in NZ history as the day two very different futures for Aotearoa were envisaged. In Wellington, the Treaty Principles Bill was being debated in the House. At Welcome Bay, Tauranga, the founding of a faith-based Māori Christian residential community was being celebrated.
The Treaty Principles Bill sought to redefine the covenantal relationship envisaged in Te Tiriti Waitangi, whereas te Kāinga o Rukua celebration was an exuberant expression of the promises and potential of Te Tiriti covenant. The kāinga (village) is a new, multi-generational village based at Faith Bible College. Te reo Māori is the language of choice, tikanga is expressed every moment of the day, and whakapono (faith) is celebrated. The 15 kāinga (village) residents start and end their day in worship and seek to be salt and light to their immediate community and in their wider ministries across Aotearoa. The children attend local schools, community events are hosted, and worship is in te reo Māori. Much of the kai is grown on the property with extensive community gardens already in place.
Almost to the minute as the Treaty Principles Bill was being voted down, Sir David Moxon (former Archbishop of New Zealand) was blessing the new kāinga and reminding us of the work that lies ahead to fully outwork the implications and opportunities of te Rongopai in Aotearoa. Waiata rang out, tears of joy
were shed, and the laughter was infectious. I sense the Lord was well pleased.
Included in this newsletter is an extended article from Jade Hohaia on the village opening, its aspirations, and the impact it is already having. I simply want to add my deep admiration for the work of Jade, Simon Cayley, and Faith Bible College, and the courage of the Wilberforce Board to invest in this new initiative knowing the journey to establish a residential community is never easy. It takes time to build deep and lasting connections. Above all I want to acknowledge the pioneering commitment of those living in the village. Their passion is infectious and I am both challenged and inspired by the sacrifices they have made to be a part of Kāinga o Rukua.
At Parihaka, nearing 150 years ago, a similar debate about the future of Aotearoa played out. It ended tragically as land was confiscated and Māori disposessed. Gardens were destroyed and a way of life founded on Christian principles came to end. My hope is that Kāinga o Rukua renews, restores, and reimagines the Rongopai story and inspires other Christian kāinga to be established across the motu.
Chris Clarke
Chief Executive
Lunch and Learn: Matariki: ideas and resources for your organisation
Nau mai! Come and listen to Capt. Hana Seddon as she shares some helpful ideas and resources for Matariki from The Salvation Army, easily adaptable to other organisations.
Hosted by Jade Hohaia Te Uri Karaka
Date: Friday 20th May from 12pm - 1pm
Lunch and Learn: Legal Ask Me Anything
oin us this June for an interactive “Ask Me Anything” session with Steven Moe, Partner at Parry Field Lawyers and expert in “for purpose” organisations.
We will cover any legal topics you bring; feel free to send your questions in advance
Steven also hosts the Seeds podcast (426 episodes and counting) and Board Matters for the Institute of Directors. Don’t miss this chance to tap into his expertise.
Date: Friday 27th June from 12pm - 1pm
11 year old Resident Kalil beside the new Rukua Village pou.
Celebration Day – Rukua Village
Prepared by Jade Hohaia
He hōnore, he korōria, maungārongo ki te whenua. What can be said about the goodness and the greatness of God? He makes a way where there seems to be no way. He opens doors no man can shut. He loves fiercely. He never forgets about us. He never forsakes us. He is able to do more than we could ever ask think or imagine. He is entirely good and just.
The birth of this new Māori venture is a miracle in the making. The village was His idea, inspired by the leading of His Spirit with the care and concern of His people in mind.
After 12 months of planning, negotiations, and talks, on the 15th of January 2025, Te Kāinga o Rukua te Rētōtanga was officially welcomed by local kaumātua into the region.
That weekend the first whānau moved in – Daph and Glyn Owen and their four boys. They are the pouwhare, the first of many and they lead out on assisting with the village culture and support of all residents. We are blessed to have them. Very quickly after they arrived eleven other people arrived. Six families.
Celebration Day tour of the gardens
The vision is simple: to create a total immersion reo Māori village that enables connection to te taiao (the environment), that leans into a wairua Karaitiana Māori (faith) expression, and that becomes a multi-generational hub for wellness and flourishing.
Located on site at Faith Bible College in Welcome Bay, Tauranga-Moana, this new innovative pioneering initiative is a powerfully unique Te Rongopai expression, and Wilberforce are proud to support the 12-month pilot.
Jody O’Sullivan (Rukua Chairperson) addressing the Celebration Day attendees
On the Celebration Day (April 10th 2025), 100+ people attended to celebrate the kaupapa. Over $10,000 was also raised on the day to partner with this key Aotearoa contextualised Te Rongopai project and receive monthly updates. If Wilberforce Foundation friends and network would also like to receive updates and to make a donation, please contact Mel at Melanie@wilberforce.org.nz
Kia whakapaingia te korōria o Ihowa i tōna wāhi. May the Glory of the Lord be praised in (the Rukua Village) His place! (Ezekiel 3:12)
Easter Camps:
A Catalyst for Faith and Connection
The Lasting Impact of Easter Camps Across Aotearoa
By Aimee Mai
Every Easter, thousands of young people across Aotearoa gather to worship, learn, and encounter the living God at Northern and Southern Easter Camps. These gatherings have become a significant part of the discipleship landscape for the next generation of Jesus followers, offering a space where faith is sparked, deepened, and lived out in community.
Northern Easter Camp, hosted at Mystery Creek, and Southern Easter Camp, held at Spencer Park, draw thousands of teenagers each year. Through vibrant worship, compelling messages, small group discussions, and shared experiences, young people are invited to step into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It’s in these spaces that many make first-time decisions to follow Christ, while others find their faith rekindled or strengthened for the journey ahead.
These camps are a team effort. They are run by small staff teams and hundreds of volunteers, but they are also a testament to the incredible endurance and leadership of Mike Dodge at Southern Easter Camp and Blue Bradley at Northern Easter Camp. Year after year – through storms, earthquakes, gastro-bugs, COVID-19 disruptions, and more – they have continued to curate unforgettable Easter Camp experiences for thousands of young people. Their steadfast commitment has helped create spaces where God moves powerfully and young lives are forever changed.
The Wilberforce Foundation has been privileged to support Easter Camps as part of our broader commitment to investing in evangelism and the flourishing of the Gospel.
On the Ground: Reflections from Southern Easter Camp
By James Beck
This year, I had the privilege of speaking at Southern Easter Camp, as well as bringing a group of young people from my own church community. It’s hard to put into words just how open young people are spiritually right now.
They have no trouble believing in the existence of God – it’s almost a given for many of them. But they do have lots of questions – about other religions, about the differences between denominations, and about how to make sense of it all.
What stood out to me most is this: if we want to see young people come alive in faith, we need to create spaces where they can ask honest, searching questions. Spaces where they won’t be shut down, but where exploration is welcomed, and the love of Jesus is made known in our responses. Easter Camps offer exactly that – a wide-open door for young people to encounter God, wrestle with big questions, and begin building a faith that is truly their own.
The legacy of Easter Camps is not just the event itself, but the ripple effects that continue throughout the year. Young people return home with new confidence, deeper relationships, a stronger sense of calling, and a deeper connection with their local youth group community.
We are incredibly grateful for the leaders, volunteers, and communities who pour time, energy, and prayer into making Easter Camps a place where the next generation can meet Jesus in life-changing ways. As we look to the future, we do so with hope, knowing that God is at work among the young people of Aotearoa – and Easter Camp is one of the places where that work is clear to see.
The Christian Women in Governance Network Retreat
The Christian Women in Governance Network is a newly established group which provides opportunities for women in for-purpose governance roles to gather together to encourage one another and grow. We hold regular webinars throughout the year, and we are about to have our inaugural retreat.
The retreat will be held in Christchurch from 10 am on Thursday 12th through until 1 pm on Friday 13th of June.
We are fortunate to have Kirsten Patterson (CEO, Institute of Directors) as our opening speaker, as well as a range of other guests and networking opportunities. Come and join us for an inspiring getaway!
This group suits women who are experienced in governance, through to those with an interest in taking up governance roles. If you are interested in receiving our newsletter sign up here, or for more information about the retreat, contact Charlotte Cummings hello@charlottecummings.nz
The use of AI in Fundraising
Our game-changing webinar on AI for fundraisers and charity leaders, featuring expert Sean Triner from Moceanic, is now available to watch. We’ve cut through the hype to show you exactly how AI can save you time, improve donor engagement, and help you raise more money.
To get all the resources and watch our webinar, please head to our website
In this section of our newsletter, we invite a leader within our network or team to share what they've been reading lately.
This month, we asked Gray Baldwin which books and podcasts have shaped his thinking recently. Here are a few of his top recommendations—but first, a little about Gray.
About Gray Baldwin
Gray Baldwin brings a wealth of experience, from the boardroom to the back paddock. He currently serves on the boards of Farmlands Co-operative, Alliance Group, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, A Rocha New Zealand, and Trinity Lands. His governance work reflects a deep commitment to sustainable land use, rural communities, and faith-led environmental stewardship.
Gray and his wife Marilyn also operate a dairy farm in the Waikato, where Marilyn leads the day-to-day operations. Their partnership in both farming and faith is long-standing, grounded in shared values and a strong sense of purpose.
Outside of work, Gray is a devoted husband, father of three adult children – a farmer, a health policy expert, and a Vic Uni rowing champ – and grandfather to five. Family is a central joy in his life.
Later this year, Gray and Marilyn will move to Dunedin to begin PhD studies, aiming to explore how the lived experiences of farmers can inform and enrich eco-theology.
Book Recommendations:
📖 Tomás Halik. The Afternoon of Christianity
In this book, Halík suggests that global Christianity is facing a crisis following the ravages of war and pandemic and increasing distrust in social and political institutions. He points out that deep faith is more important than individual beliefs which have been argued about for 2000 years. Secularisation is taken to task; “atheistic secular humanism” has ceased to be a competitor to our faith, it is enfeebled and “out of breath”. This presents a great opportunity for ecclesial Christianity to move on from religion and embrace spirituality, which Halík says is “a surging current, eroding old banks and carving out new channels”. Wow, where did we hear about this in our context? The Wilberforce Faith and Belief survey. Halík has a big brain; this is not a light read at the beach, but could be transformational if you’re interested in clearing the pathway for followers of Jesus.
📖 Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. By James Davison Hunter.
Christians are called to be “salt and light”, and this results in statements from churches such as “Renewing the Church to Transform the World” (Presbyterian Church USA). Davison Hunter contends that our record is ambivalent, that it contains some inspiration but much from which to repent. The pursuit of law, public policy, or politics are “worthy causes” but do not change the world. So what does? He suggests three things: ideas, making more culture, and “networked elites” over generations. He argues that groups like the Clapham sect (of which William Wilberforce was a member) have invoked significant change as have the Wesleys and Martin Luther - their examples should be followed today. I found his arguments compelling and agree with his conclusion that evangelism which only focuses on creating “more Christians” will not change the world.
📖 Wine, Soil and Salvation in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament by Mark Scarlata
Last week I was at a “Theology and Integrated Ecology” conference and met Mark Scarlata, prolific author and hard out Leviticus fan (read his book about this too). He told me he started out writing a book about Wine in the Bible, but it morphed into the relationship between humans and the soil. Of interest to me as a farmer. This book is well researched and covers the place of wine as wisdom, wine as the cup of wrath, right to the importance of wine in the New Testament for salvation and sacrifice. He even gives a recommendation for a suitable tipple to enjoy for each chapter as you read the book. Great read! I think I might have to get his “Theology of Leviticus” as well.
Wilberforce Community Newsletter
If you have any announcements, stories, or events you’d like to share with our community, please send them to us.
All articles should be sent to news@wilberforce.org.nz
Deadline for article submissions: The 9th of every month.
The newsletter will be distributed on the 16th of every month.
Thank you for your continued engagement, and we look forward to hearing from you.
