Our small national office based in Auckland has dual roles: a commitment to resourcing and assisting our Baptist faith communities and regional Baptist Associations as we collaborate on gospel renewal to people and places; as well as being the base for our National Leader and their team who offer leadership in the following areas:
Operations and finance
Providing support with a variety of church and faith community administrative, operational and finance matters, such as employment and terms of call of church staff, property, accounting, compliance, insurance and legal issues. This work is led by the Operations and Finance Director. See the Administration section of this website for more information.
Te Pouarataki mō te hīkoi (Treaty guide)
Working in partnership with our National Leader providing a Māori perspective and leadership to the Support Centre in order to best fulfil our commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As we continue our Treaty journey together, Te Pouarataki mō the hikoi (Treaty guide) is a significant role as we work towards a greater level of partnership with and participation from Māori within our Support Centre and the ministry and mission of our movement.
Leadership co-ordination
For nearly a century leadership training and development has been an important part of resourcing Baptist churches in New Zealand and investing in our future. New Zealand Baptists have a variety of leadership development and training areas and these are co-ordinated on behalf of the 250 faith communities through the role of the Leadership Co-ordination Director at the support office. Find out more at the Leadership Hub.
Strategic projects
From time to time particular focus is directed towards areas that need high levels of attention to detail and the co-ordination of external expertise. Leadership in this area is provided through the support office and National Leader’s team. An example of this is the ongoing work with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions.
Communication
Working with the National Leader and alongside the Regional Leaders, our small comms team works to effectively develop and co-ordinate the national communications and media strategy for the Baptist Churches of New Zealand. The Baptist NZ app and baptist.nz website continues the nearly 150 years of newspaper and magazine content, and is the best way to keep up with articles, news and stories, podcasts and videos from and for the people in our 250 churches and faith communities who identify as Baptist in New Zealand. Contact details for the Communications Director are on the Contact page. Find out more general communication info here. Download our app here.
Social impact
This facet of our leadership team is yet to be developed.
Latest articles
Trends with Dr Myk: “FIFA World Cup 2026”
Football's global tournament reveals who we truly are: play expresses God-given joy, and how we win or lose matters most.
Pondering: Living carefully, courageously, and graciously with difference
What holds a movement together when convictions diverge? Rachelle Martin ponders freedom, conscience, and belonging.
Reviewing Michael Rhodes new book ‘Reimagining Biblical Politics’
Should Michael Rhodes’ new book be your next read? Two members from the Baptist whānau weigh in.
Iosis welcomed into the Visionwest whānau
A South Auckland Baptist charity dating to 1893 joins a larger faith-based network, strengthening support for families facing hardship and trauma.
Pastoral notes: Humbled in Honiara
Being sent by Jesus means that Christians are all ‘imports’ and ‘strange strangers’, writes Andy Shudall.
Arotahi GD listening survey closes 12 July
A reminder that the General Director Search Team invites people to have their say in shaping the future of Arotahi...
In the polling booth
Pastor Jane Ye explains how the gospel shapes her vote in general elections.
Missional Matters: Out of the shadows – a vision for NZ Baptist community services
Julian Doorey asks why Baptist community services remain invisible nationally, and proposes a shared branding model.
In the polling booth: Introducing a new series
A new series revealing how the gospel affects the way different New Zealand Baptists vote in the general elections.
Together: New Zealand Baptists have been affirming women in church leadership for 50 years
Female senior/sole/co-pastors doubled since 2017 reflecting decades of denominational statements affirming gender equality in ministry leadership.
Letters – June 2026
Two letters and a response: about AI, and te Tiriti o Waitangi and the opening of Te Whare Tōtara...
Trends with Dr Myk: “AI”
“Why don’t Christians get a head start on AI and really use it for Gospel ends? We did that with books… and look how well…
Arotahi General Director Search Team seek your input
Debbie Cunningham introduces the General Director Search Team and warmly invites Baptists to have their say in shaping the future of Arotahi by participating in…
Pastoral notes: An eye for an AI
AI isn’t dangerous to us … until we forget that it’s just ‘pretend’, writes pastor Andy Shudall.
Dignity denied by Minister’s metaphor
Is comparing social housing to winning Lotto a harmless metaphor — or does it reveal something deeper about how we see the poor?
Together: Pentecost
Chris Chamberlain calls on all Christians to celebrate the Pentecost season.
Honouring God with our money and our time
How does the way we spend our money and time reflect our devotion to God, asks Rachael Ayres.
Worship in Community: How the water of baptism binds us together
Beyond a personal faith-decision, immersion draws believers into shared identity, mutual belonging, and an outward-facing witness to the whole created order.
Together: A call to remember
National Leader of New Zealand Baptists Chris Chamberlain calls us to remember our baptism and offers a quick peek into the Hanmer Holy Spirit retreat.
Someone once planted the church you belong to
Nearly 600,000 New Zealanders have no congregation nearby. A growing movement of ordinary people is quietly doing something about it.