Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa
(Methodist Church New Zealand)
Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa – The Methodist Church of New Zealand – is committed to living out the love and grace of God known in Jesus Christ.
How the Church undertakes its mission is guided by the Treaty of Waitangi which is the covenant establishing the nation of Aotearoa New Zealand on the basis of a power-sharing relationship between the voice of the Tangata Whenua (the original people) and the voice of the Tauiwi (the people who came after).
The Methodist Church of New Zealand seeks to be a worshipping, praying, and growing Christian community, rooted in faith and responsive to social realities.
Evangelism is central—inviting people to commit to Christ and live His way.
The Church values flexibility and creativity, releasing energy for mission rather than maintenance. It fosters unity with other faith communities and embraces inclusiveness, ensuring full participation across cultures, ages, and genders.
Every member is seen as a minister, encouraged to grow, serve, and support one another. Cross-cultural awareness is vital, as is a commitment to justice and sharing resources with the disadvantaged.
The Church strives to be a peacemaker, a healer of hurts, and a steward of creation, caring for the earth as part of its spiritual calling.
The Church publishes a monthly magazine named Touchstone which shares more news from the Church.
New Zealand Factfile
1874
Independence
9,500
Members
1
Universities
9
Synods
History
Methodism arrived in New Zealand in the early 1820s, with missionaries from the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society establishing the first station at Kaeo in 1823.
Rooted in the Wesleyan emphasis on personal salvation and social responsibility, the Church expanded rapidly, founding missions across both islands.
By 1850, there were 22 Methodist ministers in the country, and by 1858, ten per cent of New Zealanders identified as Methodist.
In 1874, the Church became independent from the British Conference, forming its own annual Conference.
The Church has evolved into a bi-cultural and multicultural community, shaped by the Treaty of Waitangi and committed to justice and inclusion.
Its archives span over 200 years, preserving a rich legacy of faith, mission, and social engagement.