What to Expect

The Anglican Diocese of Nelson is committed to show the love of God through Christ in all we do in every ministry of every parish. Any misconduct by a leader (lay or ordained) is a misuse of power that distorts God’s love and misrepresents God’s Kingdom.

Misconduct occurs when any person who is in a leadership, teaching or pastoral role violates boundaries (emotional, sexual, financial) with a parishioner, student, employee or staff member in a professional relationship.

If you are aware of, or have experienced, misconduct by anyone working for or ministering in any Anglican Church in New Zealand, we encourage you to make a complaint so that the matter can be investigated. We seek to be open, accountable, and transparent with how this diocese practices safe ministry. All matters of complaint are first looked into by the Ministry Standards Commission, an independent body appointed by the Church to oversee the Church’s ministry standards and the complaints process. The Commission provides a pathway that describes the possible outcomes of a complaint here.

These ministry standards apply to everyone in licensed Anglican ministry, and to non-licensed office holders, including:
• Ordained ministers (priests, deacons, bishops)
• Licensed lay ministers
• Licensed volunteer leaders
• Trustees
• Elected leaders (vestry, synod, committee, board members)

The Nelson Diocese Code of Ethics and Nelson Diocese Complaints Policy are applicable to all who minister or work for the Church (paid or unpaid) in the Diocese of Nelson. This includes those who work with children, youth and vulnerable adults, but do not hold a bishop’s license.  All those who come into contact with ministry in this Diocese can expect standards of conduct consistent with this Code and Policy. Nelson Diocese Clergy and lay people who minister to others are also expected to follow the safe ministry and training requirements of SafeHere, the safe ministry system adopted in the Diocese of Nelson.

Royal Commission on Abuse in Care

Bishop Steve Maina
22 November 2019

You will be aware that the Royal Commission has begun its work and has recently been involved in contextual hearings.
The Commission's Website says:

"The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is looking into what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in care between 1950 and 1999.” The focus of the Commission is on 'Abuse in Care' with reference to:

1. State-run institutions
2. Faith-based institutions

The extent of (2) includes our care of children, young people and vulnerable adults in our churches, schools, orphanages, elder care homes, and other ministries governed and managed by Anglican Social Services/Anglican Care.

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, including the Diocese of Nelson, is committed to engaging with the Commission and its work, and will do everything it can to assist the Commission fulfilling its purposes.

The Diocese of Nelson is encouraging submissions to be made to the Commission by survivors of abuse in its care. Contact details for communicating with the Commission are:

Phone:
10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday (NZT)
0800 222 727
Calling from Australia, 1800 875 745
Email:  
contact@abuseincare.org.nz
Mail:
Royal Commission of Inquiry
PO Box 10071
The Terrace
Wellington 6143

If this raises issues that affect you directly, I am happy to meet with you. Please contact me through the Diocesan office: bishops.pa@nelsonanglican.nz
+ Steve

HRRT Apology

HRRT Apology
This statement forms part of a settlement agreement between a parisioner of the Anglican Church and the Bishop of Nelson in respect of proceedings filed in the Human Rights Review Tribunal.
(This statement is to be kept on the Anglican Diocese of Nelson website until at least 19 March 2025).