Our archive seeks to acquire, preserve, manage and make accessible to everyone, archives collected from the family/whānau of New Zealand Baptists. It is a rich archival resource for better understanding the New Zealand Baptist community and provides a framework for exploring the collected memory of our individual, local, and national New Zealand Baptist identity. The collection includes archives from Baptist churches, Missionary Society (NZBMS, now Arotahi), Regional Baptist Associations, Baptist Community Ministries, Carey Baptist College, and groups currently or formerly part of the Baptist Union of New Zealand.
The archive is housed at the Ayson-Clifford Library at Carey Baptist College in Penrose, Auckland.
The contents of the archive can be searched using the library online catalogue. For more information go to the library webpage about the archive.
The New Zealand Baptist newspaper
For 135 years, the New Zealand Baptist served as the official monthly publication of the Baptist Union of New Zealand connecting the members of each local church. Held at the New Zealand Baptist Archive, the New Zealand Baptist remains an indispensable account of Baptist life on these islands. As the longest continuing religious periodical in Aotearoa, it is a significant historical resource for wider Christian history in New Zealand.
The Digital Baptist
Since 2010, the digitised records of the New Zealand Baptist have been available as the Digital Baptist and is a fully word searchable catalogue of the Baptist newspaper in its full run, right from 1876-2011.
The Digital Baptist is currently available online via a National Library of New Zealand archive of the former Baptist Research website. It is freely available as PDF files that can be downloaded – click the button below (we are grateful to the National Library for providing this service).
The Baptist magazine
In 2011 The New Zealand Baptist transitioned into to a bi-monthly magazine format until 2021. Digital versions of these are not yet available online, but much of the content is on the current Baptist NZ platform (this baptist.nz website and the Baptist NZ app).
Baptist content today
From 2022 a new way of connection and communication began with the Baptist NZ app being the central depository of content, which feeds the baptist.nz website, and Baptist NZ on Facebook. We also collate this content in a bi-monthly printable newsletter for local churches to print out for their people who are not online – a bi-monthly email newsletter is also sent out highlighting the printable newsletter and the last two months of contact – this can be subscribed to at the footer of this webpage (the white button “Sign up to our newsletter”).
Latest articles
Youth ministry: Would your church pass the marshmallow test?
Youth ministry can be a frustratingly expensive long-term investment – but a necessary one if New Zealand’s Baptist movement is to survive.
Supporting our Baptist churches in their mission
The annual update from the General Director of Arotahi, Alan Jamieson, and the Chair of Mission Council and the Develop Together Board, Ruby Duncan, for…
Gospel renewal stories
The annual update from our National Leader, Charles Hewlett, for 2024.
Looking back and looking ahead: A New Year’s reflection
The thin space and sacred moment of New Year’s is the perfect time to look back, review our diaries, and remember how God has helped…
Daily Christmas Readings: Sunday 29 December to Monday 6 January
The final week of readings and prayers for Advent and through Christmas, provided by Arotahi, our missionary society.
Pondering: Are we selective when we talk about Gospel renewal and justice?
An opinion piece sharing a perspective on the war in Gaza.
Daily Advent Readings: Sunday 22 December to Saturday 28 December
The fourth week of readings and prayers for Advent, provided by Arotahi, our missionary society.
Introducing Allan Taylor, 2025 President of the Baptist Union
Allan Taylor will focus on pastors and prayer in his term as President of the Baptist Union.
National Council meeting December 2024
Reports from subcommittees | Strategic direction setting | National Leader search process | Meeting with Te Whāriki
Call for expressions of interest: Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry Response Group
We (Baptist churches) are establishing a group to ensure the action we take is thorough and well informed.
How to make a submission on the Treaty Principles Bill
Submissions close 7 January. Here are some resources to help you learn more about Te Tiriti and show you how to make your submissions.
Daily Advent Readings: Sunday 15 December to Saturday 21 December
The third week of readings and prayers for Advent, provided by Arotahi, our missionary society.
Principal: Expressions of interest
We are at the beginning of the process for recruiting a new Principal for Carey Baptist College.
Salt of the earth: Salty people
Transitioning into a new season, Kev acknowledges four remarkable 'salt' people in his final 'Salt of the Earth'.
Daily Advent Readings: Sunday 8 December to Saturday 14 December
The second week of readings and prayers for Advent, provided by Arotahi, our missionary society.
‘Tis the season…for Baptist Registrations!
At our National Hui last month, we celebrated 36 people becoming fully registered pastors, chaplains, kaiārahi Māori, ministry/mission and Baptist entity leaders.
A lament for women in the Baptist movement
A powerful lament given by Baptist Women New Zealand to 2024 National Hui delegates acknowledging the negative experiences of some women in our movement.
Being people of justice and peace
A space for Young Adults to connect and listen to God's voice on matters of justice found in scripture.
Daily Advent Readings: Sunday 1 December to Saturday 7 December
The first seven days of readings and prayers for each day of Advent, provided by Arotahi our missionary society.