Our heart is to unite the Church of our city to work together for the flourishing of our city
The Good News of Jesus is not just for individual hearts, but for whole communities, systems and cities.
We believe the Church is called to work together to bring Gospel flourishing to cities, and we want to catalyse that in Auckland.
“You will be known as Repairers of the Cities and Restorers of Communities.”
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.
We’re an organic movement consisting of:
Local churches - pastors and ministry staff shepherding the spiritual life of their congregations
For-purpose organisations - directors and servants addressing the city’s deepest needs with compassion, innovation and Gospel conviction
Business and civic leaders - business owners, entrepreneurs, civic partners and professionals who see their work as mission and part of their role as influencing the flourishing of Auckland
We’re connected together by the unchanging truths that have united Christians for centuries.
As we pray and work together, we're discovering afresh how the core beliefs we confess—about who God is, who Jesus is, and what the Spirit is doing—create the deep unity that makes real Kingdom impact possible.
Values
Everything we do flows from who we are becoming in Christ. These values shape our character, and the way we work together for the flourishing of Auckland.
Generous Unity
Valuing and Seeking Common Ground
We stand together with all Christians in our mutually shared faith as expressed in the historic creeds. We facilitate connection and collaboration, and broker new relationships where we sense God at work.
Humble Service
Leading by Serving Others
We follow the example of Jesus in seeking to serve with humility. We champion the causes of others, coming alongside, supporting and linking people and initiatives rather than starting new ones.
Relational Discernment
Listening to God and one another
We don’t rush ahead with our own ideas. We bring them before God in prayer, and to others for their feedback, so that when we act it is in concert with what seems good to the Spirit and to us.
Missional Partnership
Championing Partnership and Flourishing
We are animated by a vision of God’s shalom - spiritual and social flourishing - in the Church and in our city. We prioritise partnerships and initiatives that foster responsive love to the needs of 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.
Story
For more than 20 years, Auckland-based denominational leaders and pastors of larger churches have met regularly over lunch to form friendships and build connections. The group is called Auckland Church Leaders.
Encouragingly, almost every denomination is invited to these lunches. On the flipside, in 2020 the convenors asked the question: We often say we’re better together. Are we doing anything that shows it?
Jonathan Dove was a key convenor of Auckland Church Leaders and had been inspired by stories of churches working together in cities around the world - the likes of New York, Portland and Birmingham, but also cities in the majority world.
He and others started to dream: What would it look like for the whole Church to come together with the whole Gospel for the sake of the whole City?
Other leaders shared this vision, founding donors generously sowed in.
By early 2022, this enabled Auckland Church Network to be established with one full-time employee, a well-credentialed trust board, and registered charitable status granted. Around a dozen church and for-purpose leaders came together for an overnight retreat, which was formative in setting the key initiative and values of the movement. Auckland Church Network was underway!
Whole Church > Whole Gospel > Whole City
It’s a bold vision. Over time, God has called us to focus on specific aspects. Yet our God is a bold God. He wants all in our city to be reconciled to Him. Let’s join God’s mission for Auckland together!
Meet the team
Jonathan Dove - Chair
Jonathan (JD) was the founding chair and visionary behind Auckland Church Network in late 2021 / early 2022. He is also the senior pastor of Gracecity Church, which has four locations across Auckland and plans to plant more in coming years. JD has also pastored within Baptist and Open Brethren churches, and a Texas megachurch. He often says, "If you cut me open, I would bleed unity and mission". JD is married to Robyn, and they have four teenage children. He loves fun family adventures, good food, and an All Blacks game, especially when they're winning.
Ben Mai - Manager
Ben was Auckland Church Network's first employee, commencing in late 2021 / early 2022. He has a deep love for the Church, its leaders, and its people. His heart is drawn toward the Nehemiah-inspired vision of the Church working together in unity to love and build our city. Ben has lived in Auckland for 12 years, and has become a firm Warriors and Auckland FC supporter. He is married to Aimee, and they delight in parenting their pre-school twins. You'll often see him biking through Cornwall Park on his way to the office, or running through Ambury Farm in his local Mangere Bridge.
Mary Beattie - Prayer Lead
Mary started at Auckland Church Network in 2026, and her role also includes being the Auckland Regional Coordinator for 24-7 Prayer NZ. After working in church ministry for 15 years, she now coaches with Laidlaw’s Centre for Church Leadership and co-hosts the ‘Ok…Be Honest’ podcast. Mary is passionate about helping others to hear from God and encouraging them along the way. She’s married to Brendon, mum to four, loves a good chat and is an eternal optimist!
Staci McLean - Events and Operations Lead
Staci joined the Auckland Church Network team in 2026, bringing with her a passion for connecting people. She also founded The Neurocollective NZ and is an author, speaker and trainer passionate about helping churches and communities become places where everyone feels welcomed, valued and included. She has two adult children, loves to travel and enjoys meeting new people.
Michael Nicholas - Church and Community Partnerships Lead
Michael joined the Auckland Church Network team in 2026 to help churches build partnerships with one another and with Christian organisations to serve their communities. An Aucklander for 27 years, he spent 25 of those as senior pastor of Faith City Church in South Auckland, and was a lawyer and businessman prior to that. Michael passionately believes in the local church and in what churches and Christian organisations can achieve together to see Auckland transformed by the Gospel. Michael is married to Alison. They have three children and four grandchildren. He plays squash for Manurewa Squash Club and enjoys fishing from his jet ski.
Meet the trustees
Rev Shona Pink-Martin
Married to Adam for 30 years, with two married sons and five grandchildren, Shona is the Missioner Priest in Charge of Te Mīhana Māori - Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Central Auckland. She is excited to see a new generation of Christian Māori with a fresh and vibrant approach to faith coming to fruition in our time and for the future.
Zelda Robertson
Zelda is the CEO of Operation Mobilisation NZ. Prior to her current role, she was the National Director of Alpha NZ. She carries a lifelong passion for reaching those who don't know Jesus. Zelda has two decades of strategic management experience and leadership development, and business and marketing qualifications. She lives in Tauranga with her husband Craig and two children.
Chris Bethwaite
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.
Get involved
Get in touch and join us in praying for our city, or consider making a donation to support this work.
