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

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

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

One of the most common misconceptions about hospital chaplaincy is that chaplains are only there for people who belong to a particular faith. ​ The reality is very different. ​ | Hospital chaplains support people of all faiths, spiritual backgrounds, and life experiences. They also support many people who have no religious beliefs at all. ​ At times of illness, uncertainty, grief, or major life change, people often need someone to talk to. They need space to

Looking after more than your physical health Women's Health Week is often a time to focus on physical wellbeing, encouraging women to prioritise health checks, healthy habits, and preventative care. But when a health crisis occurs unexpectedly, it can affect far more than the body. It can impact a person's confidence, relationships, work, identity, and sense of what the future holds. A story of resilience Recently, one of our chaplains met a woman whose life had changed drama

Ronald* came very close to losing his life after contracting severe pneumonia. But the chaplain was there every step of the way through his recovery. *Name changed to protect identity. Ronald's Story When Ronald was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), his condition was so critical that doctors said it was “touch and go.” He was placed on life support in a medically induced coma for three weeks, and there were moments when it seemed he might not survive. ​ Remarkably,

David* arrived at Burwood Hospital after suffering a serious medical event. He found comfort in the support of the hospital chaplain there, transforming his entire stay. *Name changed to protect identity David's Story Like many with his condition, David struggled with physical limitations and faced a future with reduced mobility. However, the emotional toll proved even harder to bear. David expressed deep fears about aging, his future, and the potential loss of independence.

Mere, a grandmother to 16 children, travelled from Rarotonga to New Zealand for urgent surgery. She was filled with uncertainty about what the future held, and worried about seeing her family. Mere's Story Mere's biggest fear was that she might never see her grandchildren again. But just three weeks later, Mere is up and walking around the ward, her face radiant with joy after receiving the incredible news: she doesn’t have cancer. | "God has given me life again, and I'm so

Father's Day is a time of celebration, where we recognise and give thanks to all those father figures in our lives that have shown strength, resilience, and love for us each day. | To the dads, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and all the men that are there for the big and the small wins, we say thank you. Fatherhood comes in all shapes and sizes, but the care and support we receive from the men in our lives is deeply important, however it is received. ​​In hospitals, Fathe

When Vanessa found out she was pregnant, she knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. But she never imagined just how terrifying it would become. Bring comfort and support to families facing the unimaginable. Vanessa's Story Noël was Vanessa’s miracle baby; conceived through IVF after years of hope and heartache. From the very beginning, doctors warned her that he might not survive. But she held onto hope. Then, at just 26 weeks pregnant, Vanessa’s world turned upside down. She

For many patients, the end of treatment is more than just a milestone; it marks the completion of a long, often challenging journey. Recently, one of our chaplains was invited to share in such a moment. The End of Treatment A patient, who had been undergoing chemo and radiation therapies, asked the chaplain to stand alongside her as she rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment. ​ It was a powerful and deeply moving occasion. ​​ ​Over the course of her time in hospital,

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