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 & 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 & 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!
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
Rev Shona Pink-Martin - Trustee
Married to Adam for 30 years with 2 married sons and 5 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.
Favourite place: Okahu Bay
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…)
Get involved
Get in touch and join us in praying for our city, or consider making a donation to support this work.
