Our heart is to help our city flourish and to foster Church unity.

We’re Biblically-inspired by the likes of Nehemiah, a wise, caring, prayerful and strong person, who led his people to repair the broken walls of their city Jerusalem, and to bring about flourishing.

Auckland Church Network is not a church, nor a denomination. It is an organic movement, in which all Bible-believing churches can participate. We’re working together to bring flourishing to our city.

Ranga Te Tira Hāhi

Our Māori name has been gifted to us by Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Te Roroa, Ngāti Whātua), Te Pīhopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau.

In the Auckland context, Ranga Te Tira Hāhi conveys bringing churches jointly as a single grouping that is woven together, mobilised, and moving in the same direction to one destination.

Ranga is a verb which means to weave.

Tira is a noun which depicts a group of travellers. A single group travelling together, in the same direction, to one destination. The tira is the same group from departure to destination.

Hāhi is a noun which means the Church.

Our Values

Unity

We find common ground and build on it

We are relentless in our God-breathed calling to unity amongst the Church for the good of our city. We facilitate connection and collaboration; and broker new relationships where we sense God at work.

Service

We lead by serving others

We champion someone else’s cause by coming alongside churches and supporting them - linking passionate people together. We serve by sparking the imagination of leaders in how we respond to the needs of our city.

Active Discernment

We think and pray; then act

Our city is a part of God’s Kingdom; so we build on the good that is happening, not tear it down. We pray and listen to God, and encourage prayer within the Church. We listen to understand the issues in our city, sharing with the Church and prompting them to respond.

Integrity

We champion all that brings flourishing

Representing the Church in Auckland isn’t a task we take lightly, so we faithfully support that which leads to the flourishing of our city. We advocate for the Church in a way that promotes partnership and peace.

Meet the Team

Jonathan Dove - Chair

In late 2019, Jonathan was asked by his peers to chair what has now become Auckland Church Network. He is also Senior Pastor of Gracecity Church, has been married to Robyn for 25+ years, with four beautiful children.

Favourite park: Cornwall Park

Ben Mai - Manager

Ben joined Auckland Church Network as its first employee in late 2021; he loves connecting with people, and is passionate about the Church bringing transformation to our city. Ben is married to Aimee, and they have the delight of parenting twins—a boy and a girl.

Favourite beach: Anchor Bay, Tāwharanui

Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu - Trustee

Better known as Bishop Kito, he presides over Te Tai Tokerau in the Māori Anglican Church / Te Hāhi Mihinare. He’s an encouraging and inspiring rangatira, with a huge heart for people and for communities to flourish.

Favourite restaurant: PlaThong Thai Restaurant

Zelda Robertson - Trustee

Zelda is the National Director of Alpha New Zealand. She first completed an Alpha course in 1998 and it ignited a life-long passion for evangelism in her. She has two decades of strategic management experience and leadership development, and business and marketing qualifications. Zelda lives in Tauranga with her husband, Craig, and children Tristan and Scarlet.

Favourite shop: Recycle Boutique

Chris Bethwaite - Trustee

Chris brings vast amounts of governance, admin, and operational experience to his role. He is the National Administrator for Elim Churches of NZ; and is highly respected across the city and NZ for his administrative acumen.

Favourite sports team: The Warriors (next year will be their year…)

Dale Campbell - Prayer Leader / Relationship Manager

Dale joined Auckland Church Network in early 2023; he is passionate about unity, spiritual formation, biblical preaching, forgiveness, justice, and the mission and witness of the Church. Dale is married to Diane, and they are parents of their teenaged son, Thomas.

Favourite maunga: Maungauika / North Head, Devonport