Touchstone

October 2026

Welcome to the October edition of Touchstone.

Conference planning has been front and foremost in the Connexional Office over recent weeks as General Secretary Rev Tara Tautari has worked tirelessly, along with the arrangements committee and her administration team, to prepare for the coming in-person gathering at Wesley College.

Chaplains Suiva’aia Te’o & Edwin Talakai share an overview of what promises to be an inspiring and spiritually enriching programme designed to celebrate the Conference theme:

“Maranga! Tula‘I! Tu‘U Hake! Tucake! Arise – Be the Light of Christ to All.”

Along with reflection, prayer, worship, special services, plenary presentations, fellowship and general discussions, a highlight will be the induction ceremony for our first Pasifika Presidential team, President-elect Rev Alisa Lasi, and Vice President-elect Tau’ataina Tupou.

The November edition of Touchstone will provide comprehensive cover of Conference; the many varied events, the reports, the services and the decisions that will influence the call to be church in today’s world, now and as we look to the future.

Beyond Conference 2026, the General Election is a key event on the nation’s radar. MCNZ archivist Katherine Doig reflects on the legacy of Otahuhu Methodism’s most famous son, the late David Lange. As a Prime Minister guided by faith, pacificism and socialism, she comments that “his political convictions owed more to Methodism than Marxism”. Her hopes for a post-election result that might result in improved wellbeing for all New Zealanders, and not just a privileged few, is one shared by all people of faith.

Vice President Rev Peter Norman provides reports on two recent Pasifika celebrations where he has represented Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa; The Kingdom of Tonga’s celebrations around 200 years of Christianity and Bose Ko Viti, the Methodist Church in Fiji Annual Conference. Rev Peter speaks of Weteriana whanaunga, the shared hospitality and kinship that is embedded in every aspect of the joyful occasions, as he reflects on the theology and discussions and shared understandings and challenges experienced by our Pasifika neighbours.

I hope you find news and articles that inspire and encourage you to dive into the latest edition of Touchstone.