7-11 September 2026 Our hospital chaplains are here for you For 2026, Hospital Chaplaincy Awareness Week is all about making the spiritual and pastoral care provided by hospital chaplains more visible to the people who need it. Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa has existed for over 50 years across New Zealand to ensure patients, whānau, and staff receive the spiritual care and emotional support they need when it matters the most. Today, we operate with over 90 chaplains and mor

July 2026 Last month, Rotorua Hospital hosted an official commissioning service for Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa's newest Chaplain and Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistants. The Service On 30th July, a touching powhiri and commissioning service was held to welcome the latest members of the Rotorua Chaplaincy team. The service was led by Rev. Matiu Best, Regional Manager for Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa, with support from Paul Leighton, Chaplain at Rotorua Hospital. The service was

29 January 2026 In the lead-up to Christmas, the sound of carols echoed through hospital corridors across Aotearoa, bringing moments of joy, comfort, and connection to patients, whānau, and staff. Organised by hospital chaplaincy teams and volunteers, these visits offered a reminder of the hope and compassion at the heart of the Christmas season. Christmas on the Wards At Whangarei Hospital, a dedicated group of volunteers led carol singing across multiple wards throughout De

19 June 2026 | This National Volunteer Week, we are proud to celebrate the more than 200 Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistants (VCAs) serving across Aotearoa. These dedicated volunteers play a vital role in our hospitals. They work hard supporting patients and whānau with compassion and care during the moments that matter most. Whether sitting quietly with someone who needs a listening ear, offering encouragement during uncertainty, or simply being present, VC

July 2026 A Heartfelt Thanks Hospital Chaplaincy extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Deacon Jim Nees, who has retired after fifteen years of dedicated service as the Catholic Hospital Chaplain at Whangārei Hospital. ​ Originally from Pittsburgh, USA, Jim was commissioned as a hospital chaplain in 2011 by Bishop Patrick Dunn. Since then, he has become a familiar and much-loved presence throughout the hospital, providing pastoral care, spiritual support, and compas

30 May 2025 22 Years of Service After more than two decades of dedicated ministry, Wyatt Butcher retired from his role as Mental Health Chaplain at Hillmorton Hospital on Friday, 30 May. Throughout his years of service, Wyatt has become a beloved presence within the hospital, offering spiritual care, deep compassion, and steadfast support to patients, whānau, and staff. ​ His final weeks have been filled with heartfelt farewells, including BBQs (often featuring his own veniso

7 August 2025 Volunteer Chaplaincy Assistant Commissioning Service A special pōwhiri and commissioning service was held on 10 July at the Chapel of St Luke, Whangārei Hospital. The service was led by Rev. Amiria Te Whiu, on behalf of Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa, with support from Whangārei Hospital Chaplains Fatima Lemisio and Adrian Whale, Camron Muriwai (Takawaenga), and Fiona Greig (Team Leader, Customer Service). ​ | July marked a significant milestone for spiritual car

25 April 2025 | Honouring the legacy of military nurses, Hawke's Bay Hospital commemorated 110 years of the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps (RNZNC). Anzac Day Commemoration Service The ceremony paid tribute to the unwavering compassion and sacrifice of military nurses, both past and present, whose connection to the hospital runs long and deep. ​ Held outside the hospital’s chapel, the event united staff, patients, and community members in solemn remembrance. Together

January 2025 In December 2024, the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy (ICHC) officially rebranded to become Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa. History In the past 52 years since nine church denominations came together to establish a national hospital chaplaincy service in New Zealand’s public health system, a lot has changed in both New Zealand and the healthcare sector. | Changing our name to Hospital Chaplaincy Aotearoa positions us to better serve New Zeala

Our National Operations Manager, Dave, has recently transitioned from his office to a hospital bed due to complications from a past sports injury and surgery (decades ago). After undergoing recent surgery to alleviate nerve compression caused by this injury, Dave initially experienced a successful recovery. However, two weeks later, he faced a setback when his surgical wound reopened and became infected, leading to his second and third hospital stays. During this time, Dave h

Rev. Dr. Ron Atkins, Deacon of the Anglican Church was commissioned this week as the Chaplain to Oncology at Wellington Regional Hospital by Archdeacon Stephen King. Regional Chaplain, Rev. Peter Brown stated, "never before has there been a Chaplain commissioned to a specific ward such as Oncology. Oncology is a special place where Ron will be used well." Rev. Brown encouraged the group gathered to be in continued prayer for Ron and for one another. Congratulations Ron and we

At 6pm on the 14th of August 2018 at St. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church in Lower Hutt, Marie Paurini, Elizabeth Wootton and Kathryn van Woerkom were commissioned to be Hospital Chaplains at Kenepuru, Wellington and the Hutt Hospitals. Regional Chaplain Rev. Peter Brown read from Ezekiel and ICHC Chaplains Rev Kath Maclean and Rev Ross Scott offered prayers. The Cardinal commissioned the three women saying, "You are being commissioned to one of the most important roles of th

On Thursday afternoon, 17 May 2018, Porirua Hospital Chaplaincy team welcomed the very first Mental Health Chaplain Intern in all of New Zealand, Rev Cath Growcott. Rev. Canon Kath Maclean shared her dream of teaching mental health chaplains and growing the team. The stakeholders including Wellington Hospital Chaplaincy Trust, Director of Mental Health Services at Capital and Coast DHB and ICHC were in attendance. The event was joyful and filled with hope for the future.

Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Chaplains around Aotearoa remember those who have given their lives and those who currently serve. God Bless them all. Here are some images from Taranaki, Nelson and Hawkes Bay.

Chaplains, VCA’s, and a few staff members at Canterbury DHB were gifted with their yearly "Anonymous" Valentine's on the 14th of February. What a beautiful "not so random" act of kindness especially when Valentine's falls on Ash Wednesday. Well done "Anonymous!"

On Tuesday 13 February, the Nelson Chaplaincy team and Regional Chaplain Sandra Wright-Taylor awarded Rev. Yvonne McLean and 4 VCA’s long service awards. The group photo below shows left to right, Hilary Exton, Rev Murray Campbell, Rev Yvonne McLean, Annie Brown, Rev Sandra Wright Taylor, Miriam Martin, Barry Thomas and Sandra Cameron. Congratulations to all and thank you for letting us celebrate with you!

On the 11th December 2017, Auckland Hospital was alive to the ‘Sound of Music’. Two hundred people, from all walks of life, choirs, choristers, church groups, volunteers, staff, children, volunteer chaplain assistants and chaplains, all gathered outside the chapel for the annual Carol Singing on the wards. The place was abuzz with laughter, choirs beautifully dressed, ladies with Christmas jewelry, men adorned with Christmas ties and many a Santa hat could be spied. Childr