For: Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Christopher Luxon
Prepared by: Leaders of the Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Salvation
Army, Te Runanga Whakawhanaunga I Nga Hahi O Aotearoa, and National
Church Leaders of Aotearoa New Zealand
Date: June 2026
As leaders of Christian Churches we come to pray for you, to share what we are seeing
in our communities, and to discuss how we can all support a thriving Aotearoa.
We are aware that there are a range of policies implemented or underway, and metrics
used by Government. Our desire today is to share with you our experiences of these
issues in our communities.
Peace in our hearts and in our communities
We observe reduced trust between nations and growing stress on democracy and social
cohesion. We desire to see authentic peace, grounded in justice and the recognition of
human dignity.
How can we foster spaces for genuine dialogue between diverse people and perspectives
in Aotearoa in order to promote pathways to enduring peace?
Te Tiriti o Waitangi – A taonga to enrich our nation
We acknowledge honouring Te Tiriti of Waitangi can at times, be complex, dynamic and
challenging. We desire to see this foundational agreement get the focus and mana it
requires.
How do we as political and church leaders enable this?
Tangata – An economy that enables all to have a good life
A healthy economy is vital, your leadership has highlighted this goal. We desire to see an
economy that upholds the wellbeing and dignity of all people in our communities.
How do we know that we are creating a just economy where all can flourish?
Taiao- Kaitiakitanga for our environment
Humanity is living beyond many of our planet’s boundaries. We desire to see each
generation working towards leaving a healthier environment for the next.
How do we as leaders work together to actively play our part in this?
What we are seeing and hearing in our communities
Peace in our hearts and in our communities
- We acknowledge the positive bipartisan efforts towards addressing Modern Slavery.
- We observe weakening social cohesion and growing polarisation across many
issues. - Challenges for people to engage in legislative changes and have their voices heard
due to short timeframes, particularly when it impacts vulnerable communities.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
We observe in our congregations and services a growing call for justice in honouring Te Tiriti
o Waitangi, evidenced by:
- Te Tiriti o Waitangi increasingly recognised by church leadership and growing
relationships between churches and iwi/hapu. - Continued engagement in resources supporting faith communities in their
understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and increasing numbers of parishioners
choosing to honour Te Tiriti in their daily lives.
Tangata
We continue to see and hear challenges in our communities:
- Visible increases in homelessness and challenges with housing stability and rental
affordability triggering trauma, disengagement, deepening poverty and poor health. - Increasing numbers of people impacted by cost-of-living challenges, seeking food
assistance, and needing support for family violence and mental health issues. - These financial stressors compounding for the lowest income families and concerns
about the impact of significant cost increases for those in social housing. - Growing numbers of young people experiencing barriers to education or
employment
Taiao
Protecting our environment is an issue dear to the heart of many thousands of Christians in
our communities, evidenced by:
- Faith-based organisations advocating for climate action and support for vulnerable
nations. - Growing participation in Eco Church Aotearoa, now involving more than 100 church
communities.
