Touchstone

March 2026

Welcome to the March edition of Touchstone.

Children’s Day, Te Ra o Nga Tamariki, is held annually on the first Sunday of March in Aotearoa. On Sunday 1 March workshops, activities, community events and church services will honour, celebrate and acknowledge our tamariki. Sadly, not all children in New Zealand are cherished, loved, and cared for. In our lead article, internationally acclaimed advocate for children’s rights, Children’s Commissioner, Dr Claire Achmed, comments on the status of children in Aotearoa today. A recently launched campaign Dear Children invites readers to sign a letter that seeks to give the more than one million tamariki in New Zealand a joyful and happy childhood, where they are protected, nurtured and given every opportunity to fulfil their potential.

President Te Aroha Rountree reports on a number of significant events she has attended over recent weeka: induction ceremonies, celebrations at Mangungu in recognition of the signing of the Treaty on 12 February 1840, 150th commemorations at Napier Trinity, and in Auckland on 15 February, a powhiri to herald the beginning of the academic year ,and ongoing collaboration between two historic centres of theological education, St Johns and Trinity Theological College. Each article sheds light on the rich heritage of our church and its people, who share a deep commitment to faith, fellowship, relationship, and to the covenantal future envisioned in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

In reflecting on her attendance at Waitangi 2026, where she joined leaders from the Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa and other faith leaders, community representatives, rangatahi, students and staff from Trinity theological College, she writes, “This year’s observance at Waitangi in 2026 carried a strong sense of both reflection and hope”.

In February, Vahefonua youth met with church leaders from Aotearoa and Tonga to give voice to their united call for more opportunities to influence and shape the future of the church. Lavoni Manukia reports that there have been many discussions in the past but this time around, there was a renewed sense of urgency for change and that leaders are listening.  

Co convenor of the Climate Justice Working Group, Rev Mark Gibson, draws attention to the increasing number of devasting weather events impacting our country – eight so far this year already compared with eight in total in 2025 – unfolding against a backdrop of government policies and decisions that reverse climate action progress on multiple fronts.

Mark concludes, “ … above all, in these stormy times we the church are called to build communities of solidarity, prophetic hope, courage and transformative love”.

 Ahead of the election scheduled for later this year, Hamish Jarvie of the Methodist Alliance recommends reaching out to MPs to share views and call for action on those issues that impact you, your parish, your whanau, your community and your sense of justice.

I hope you find articles that inspire and enlighten in the diverse range of contributions exploring theology, policy, climate and faith issues of today.