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