Christianity in New Zealand

Celebrating God at Matariki

Celebrating God at Matariki

Last year’s inauguration of Matariki as a new public holiday naturally raises questions for all Christians in New Zealand whether we may celebrate this festival without compromising the first of the ten commandments: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). So this year we invited Brad Haami (Ngāti Awa), a Māori Christian leader, author, and lecturer (at Laidlaw College) to give us some guidance…

What is wrong with New Zealand?

What is wrong with New Zealand?

Well, certainly not everything. There is still so much about this country to appreciate and enjoy, including God’s beautiful creation, our mix of cultures, and our traditionally down–to-earth ways. And much else.

Lest we forget: it’s a Covenant!

Lest we forget: it’s a Covenant!

Many Māori see the Treaty in spiritual and Christian terms as is seen in one of their names for the Treaty: ‘Te Kawenata o Waitangi’ (‘the Covenant of Waitangi’). Covenant is a very appropriate word to use. The word itself is of Latin origin (con venire), meaning a coming together.