The Anglican Diocese of Nelson is committed to show the love of God through Christ in all we do in every ministry of every parish. Any misconduct by a leader (lay or ordained) is a misuse of power that distorts God’s love and misrepresents God’s Kingdom.
Misconduct occurs when any person who is in a leadership, teaching or pastoral role violates boundaries (emotional, sexual, financial) with a parishioner, student, employee or staff member in a professional relationship.
If you are aware of, or have experienced, misconduct by anyone working for or ministering in any Anglican Church in New Zealand, we encourage you to make a complaint so that the matter can be investigated. We seek to be open, accountable, and transparent with how this diocese practices safe ministry. All matters of complaint are first looked into by the Ministry Standards Commission, an independent body appointed by the Church to oversee the Church’s ministry standards and the complaints process. The Commission provides a pathway that describes the possible outcomes of a complaint here.
These ministry standards apply to everyone in licensed Anglican ministry, and to non-licensed office holders, including:
• Ordained ministers (priests, deacons, bishops)
• Licensed lay ministers
• Licensed volunteer leaders
• Trustees
• Elected leaders (vestry, synod, committee, board members)
The Nelson Diocese Code of Ethics and Nelson Diocese Complaints Policy are applicable to all who minister or work for the Church (paid or unpaid) in the Diocese of Nelson. This includes those who work with children, youth and vulnerable adults, but do not hold a bishop’s license. All those who come into contact with ministry in this Diocese can expect standards of conduct consistent with this Code and Policy. Nelson Diocese Clergy and lay people who minister to others are also expected to follow the safe ministry and training requirements of SafeHere, the safe ministry system adopted in the Diocese of Nelson.
E Ihowā, tohungia mātou,
E Te Karaiti, tohungia mātou,
E Ihowā, tohungia mātou,
Ka nui ngā mihi ki ngā mate huhua puta noa o te motu, ko te inoi kia noho pai koutou e te hunga kua whetū rangitia ki ngā ringaringa atawhai a Te Karaiti, ā ki a tātau te hunga ora Māna anō e muru i ngā roimata katoa; ā kia kore ake he mamae, otirā kia māturuturu te tōmairangi atawhai o Te Tokotoru Tapu ki a koutou.
Tēnei mātou ko ngā hepara o te Hāhi e piko nei kei te hinapōuri, ka tangi, ka māringi i ngā roimata mō te hunga mōrehu. Tēnei mātau ka mihi atu nei ki a koutou i runga i te ngākau rīpenetā. Kotahi tonu te inoi ki te Atua, kia tau mai tōna Wairua aroha ki a koutou, ā Māna anō hoki mātou ko te hunga hara e ārahi ki ngā ara o te tika.
E te whānau a Te Karaiti, tēnā tātau.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care has released its report, which highlights abuse that occurred in Anglican communities in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950-1999.
Please hold the survivors of abuse in your hearts and prayers – some of whom participated in the Inquiry, courageously sharing traumatic experiences for justice and change.
Our Archbishops Don Tamihere, Justin Duckworth and Sione Ulu’ilakepa have asked that we share this statement from them within each of our churches across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Our apology at the Royal Commission to survivors of abuse was heartfelt and genuine and we can only stand in awe of their courage and endurance. We owe it to survivors to ensure that this Report is a catalyst for great change.
It is crucial that the whole Church takes direction and advice on this. We know that we still have a long way to go.
We call on all who identify as Anglican; whether churches, schools or agencies to study this Report’s recommendations and to commit themselves to the principles and practices that ensure the highest standards of care.”
The archbishops have also reminded us of the safeguards we have in place to help make our church a safe space for everyone.
Anyone who is a survivor of historic abuse in the Anglican Church who wish to engage with the Church about that abuse are encouraged to email: [email protected]
Anyone wishing to make a current complaint can contact the Ministry Standards Commission registrar by email on: [email protected]
The archbishops have shared the following prayers.
E te Atua Atawhai, tēnei mātau e koropiko ana
ki mua i tōu aroaro i runga i te ngākau pōuri.
Nā te mea, tē taea mātau i rongo, i kite,
Nā te waha ngū ka whakakino mātau i te ngā harakore me ngā ngoikore.
E te Ariki, whakakahangia rātou ko te hunga mōrehu,
Arahina mātou ki te tika.
E te Ariki, whakarongo mai ki tā mātau inoi.
Āmine
Merciful God, we come to you in sorrow.
We would not hear, we did not believe,
Our silence condemned the innocent and the powerless.
Lord, strengthen and empower the survivors now,
and align our hearts with your justice.
God, hear our prayer.
Amen
Acknowledgement of Findings of Fault
The Archbishops and Primates of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia acknowledge all the findings of fault against the Anglican Church which are recorded in Section 7 Chapter 12 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care’s report.
In response to the recent findings by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, which have just been made public, I want to address our diocesan whānau.
I wholeheartedly endorse the archbishops' statement. The Report outlines a distressing history of abuse within both State and Faith-based institutions entrusted with the care of vulnerable individuals. As a diocese, we are deeply saddened and ashamed by these revelations. We recognise the immense pain suffered by the survivors and their families, and we acknowledge the lifelong impacts they have endured. Personally, as your bishop, I have read and heard several survivor stories and I am devastated and heartbroken. We deeply regret and are ashamed of this misconduct. I am certain that God also grieves alongside us.
Our Christian faith teaches us the values of compassion, justice, and respect for human dignity. It emphasises that children are a gift from God and must be cherished and nurtured in loving, safe environments, shielded from all forms of abuse. It is evident that as a national Church, we have collectively failed to uphold these principles, and we are committed to making amends and ensuring that such failures never recur. Before the release of this Report, we had already begun reviewing and enhancing our policies regarding safeguarding practices. These include:
I believe we need to do more and we must keep doing better especially in the area of survivor support and encouraging people to come forward with their testimony.
In our response to the Report, we will seek to be guided by Scripture, particularly Isaiah 42:2-4, speaking of the Lord’s Servant:
He will not shout
or raise his voice in public.
He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
He will not falter or lose heart
until justice prevails throughout the earth.
Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.
If this raises issues that affect you directly, I am happy to meet with you. Please contact me through the diocesan office: [email protected]
+ Steve
HRRT Apology
This statement forms part of a settlement agreement between a parishioner of the Anglican Church and the Bishop of Nelson in respect of proceedings filed in the Human Rights Review Tribunal.
(This statement is to be kept on the Anglican Diocese of Nelson website until at least 19 March 2025).