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Ministry Snapshots

  • Youth Ministry

    SUNZ and our team of Youth Consultants offer adventure-based camps, progressive youth programmes and innovative resources for youth leaders and churches in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Since 1931 our Christian camping experiences have used varied activities to bring campers closer to God: from surf to ski; mountain bike to horseback; fishing to local mission projects.

    ‘E3’ expeditions are 11-day wilderness adventures to develop senior school students. As young people tramp, mountain bike, and kayak or white-water raft through beautiful backcountry New Zealand they are pushed physically and emotionally and are challenged to consider the spiritual implications ahead in life after school.

    Leadership development to equip young Christians to be leaders of impact, today and in the future is a focus of two programmes: ‘Exodus Prime’ and ‘Beyond Experience’. ‘Exodus Prime’ is for secondary school students ready to develop personally and as Christian leaders. Students nominated by their church or school attend a five-day camp followed by in-church mentoring for 12 months. Each year of a four-year cycle stands alone but students can return to build on previous learning. ‘Beyond Experience’ is for young leaders beyond school age. Current and potential future SUNZ ministry and programme leaders are identified and invited on a multi-year journey including retreats and monthly meetings with experienced mentors from SUNZ for guided reflection and discussion.

    A recent focus of SUNZ has been running Āpōpō, a mental health/suicide awareness programme for young people, in schools, churches and communities. Camps also run for special groups such as at-risk youth identified by schools. We’re always looking for new ways to connect today’s generation with our Creator!

  • Children & Families Ministry

    SUNZ offers leadership development, camps and community programmes to help churches connect with young New Zealanders. SUPAkidz after-school clubs and week-long camps bring primary school children action, games and craft based around exploring the Bible together. Our Children’s Ministry Consultants provide resources, mentoring and training for churches and children and family workers across Aotearoa, New Zealand.

    Each year a series of ‘WAY2GO’ day-long children’s ministry conferences held around the country bring inspirational teaching, exposure to current thinking on children’s ministry and practical workshops filled with tips for children’s ministry. Since Covid-19, providing online resources has become an increased part of our support for children and family’s ministry workers.

    ‘Thrive’ is an interactive workshop to help churches build life-long faith in their young people. Key strategies for churches to make faith formation more effective for young people are introduced, and activities and guided small group discussion identify areas of greatest challenge and start to set priorities for each church. SUNZ mentors then walk alongside the church as they work on these areas over the following year.

    Our Children and Families Team also facilitate the nation-wide Children’s Ministry Network which provides access to training, events and network opportunities across the denominations.

Contact Details

  • Head Office

    9A Oxford Terrace
    Mount Cook
    Wellington 6021
    New Zealand





    • Leadership

      Chair: Neil Walbran

      National Director: Hilary Hague

      Deputy Director: Richard Apperly

      National Youth Ministry: Neville Bartley

      National Children & Families Ministry: Liz Eichler

      National Leadership Development: Paul Humphreys

    • Head Office Staff

      Fundraising Manager: Peilin Cheng

      Resources Administrator: AnnaMarie Slessor

      CFO: Ishani Noble

      Accountant: Anitha Yadavaraj

      Accounts Assistant : Geetanjali Purwal

      Marketing & Multimedia Specialist: Meshach Singh

      Communications Assistant: Alisha McLennan

      Fundraising Assistant: Paul Martell

      Children & Families Administrator: Isla McDonald

      Database Administrator: Janet Walbran

      Camps Administrator: Donna Beech

    • Auckland

      Auckland Office Manager: Glenis Silby

      Children & Families Consultant: Andrew Ramsbottom

      Youth Consultant: Andy Banks

      Supporter Relations Facilitator: Sylvia Coulter

    • Wellington & Central Region

      Youth Consultant: Vacant

      Children & Families Consultant: Andrea Lukin

    • Hamilton

      North Island Camps Facilitator: Natalie Duchesne

    • Christchurch

      South Island Camps Facilitator: Jayden Meads

      National Leadership Development Facilitator: Paul Humphreys

    • Dunedin

      Beyond Experience Administrator: Beth Coates

    • Invercargill

      Southern Regional Director: Nigel Winder

      Children & Families Consultant: Nigel Winder

      Youth Consultant: Lizzie Moore

  • Postal Address (National)

    PO Box 760
    Wellington 6140
    New Zealand

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Contact (country)

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All about New Zealand

  • Population

    4,916,817

  • Religions

    Protestant 32.7%, Roman Catholic 11.6%, Maori Christian 1.3%, Hindu 2.1%, Buddhist 1.4%, Islam 1.1%, Other Religions 1.4%, None 38.5%

  • Population under 15

    19.7%

  • Official languages

    English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language