John Tavoi
Tofi O Tamatane
Isaac Minogue
St Tom's Newtown
Jack leason
And the family band
Kaiwaiata / Music
‘Tofi o le Tamatane’ represents the role of a male within Samoan culture. It also acknowledges the importance of Vā (relationship) between males and other genders. The group’s vision is to create a place of belonging and to keep the traditional Samoan culture alive.
By sharing these cultural treasures through every action and every word, Tofi o Tamatane hopes to contribute to the protection of Samoan culture in New Zealand.
It has evolved into a platform for these men to express themselves freely amongst fellow brothers. They recognise the importance of supporting one another to thrive - culturally, spiritually and mentally; and knowing that during times of trial and tribulation, it will be a journey of perseverance that they take together.
Isaac helps lead worship at St Tom’s Church in Newtown. He’s exploring the different roles sung worship can have as creative expression, theological formation, communal rhythm, prayer, the prophetic and more — plus what makes our voice unique here in Aotearoa. But mostly he’s a husband, dad, and just a normal guy with a normal job.
The Leason whānau are world famous in Ōtaki for their Catholic Worker ways. Fortunately for us as well as Christian peace activism and growing their own food, this also includes leading foot stomping, toe jiggling barn dances!
The Kāpiti Gospel Choir
Directed by Bridget O'Shanassy
The Kapiti Gospel Choir love singing Gospel Music. Our songs include traditional African American Spirituals, gospel songs and world songs.
We love audience participation at our concerts - so we welcome you to join in!
Jamie Rodwell
The Street
John Minogue
Spora
Jesse Elias & Te Kapa o Te Huarahi
Jamie is passionate about glorifying God and helping others do the same. He serves as the Worship Pastor at The Street Church, co-leader of Souvenirs Worship, and a husband and father. Raised by two classical musicians who love Jesus, music, and family, he never had much chance to want to live for anything else.
Born before the sixties, John grew up listening to The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan. Born again before the age of 24, his journey since has been rich and full. Blessed with a God-fearing wife, together they’ve raised four wonderful children who have gone on to bless them with many mokopuna. John is now looking forward to beginning a new chapter on the Kāpiti Coast, grateful for the goodness of God and all His gracious gifts.
Kei te whakakotahi a Jesse mā mō Te Huarahi Passionfest, hei kawe mai i te kapa haka hihiri hei whakaoho koa i te tangata e pārekareka ana ki te kai!
Jesse and others are coming together for Te Huarahi Passionfest to share lively kapa haka, bringing joy as people gather to enjoy kai!
Matt Renata
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngāti Ruapani, Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Gujarat
Kate Day & Alex Johnston
Common Grace Aotearoa
Kaikōrero / Speakers & Workshops
Miriam has always had a passion for missions, initially overseas but more recently here in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
She has worked with Catalyst Movement for the last 4 years and also helped facilitate The Send last year.
She has a passion to see the gospel go forth in NZ and to see the next generation empowered to live bold, missional lives.
Alex (Pākehā, Scottish/Irish whakapapa), together with Kate, founded Common Grace Aotearoa in 2023 with a shared dream to see the church step into its calling as a partner in God’s renewal and restoration in this land. Common Grace Aotearoa seeks to equip and organise Christians across Aotearoa to transform unjust structures for the common good, advancing solutions to climate, economic and Te Tiriti justice. Alongside that mahi, he is passionate about community and wholehearted discipleship as part of Urban Vision and at his local Anglican church. He currently lives in Whanganui on the lands of Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi with his wife Genevieve, and their two daughters.
Mika and Anya Hervel
The Community of the Transfiguration
Mika and Anya live and work in central Wellington and worship at St Mike's Kelburn. For the last five years, they have been living and leading in intentional Christian community and ministering to uni students and young people. Mika has studied law, history, and politics, and Anya has studied history with honours in anthropology. They believe the work of justice and peace extends into politics and economics, and have been involved in all manner of political campaigning over the years.
James Harris
NAYBA, Common Grace Australia
James serves as the Justice for People Seeking Asylum Coordinator for Common Grace and Director of Strategic Projects at NAYBA, where he leads The Welcome Home Project, helping churches engage in refugee sponsorship. His global experience includes humanitarian work in Jordan and Nauru, alongside co-founding the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage movement.
Kate (Pākehā, English/Scottish whakapapa) co-founded Common Grace Aotearoa with Alex in 2023, excited about the potential of forming a generation of Christian leaders with a commitment to justice, advocacy and faith-driven action. Over the years she has been involved in a variety of successful campaigns and discipleship programmes with a justice focus. She lives in Wellington with her husband John-Luke and their three children, and worships at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, Newtown.
Lizzie Pringle
Praxis, Urban Vision
Born and raised in Wellington, He Tangata Tiriti ahau. I live in the Eastern Suburbs with my whānau and love the community of Strathmore. I co-lead Praxis — a network of educators and youth development practitioners passionate about raising the next generation of leaders in Aotearoa. I also co-lead Strathmore Community Church with my husband Ben. Together we are raising three boys (6, 4, and 1) — my most challenging and joy-filled mahi.
I have spent more than a decade engaged in grassroots youth and community work with Urban Vision, and I am passionate about seeing communities experience freedom, healing, and hope.
David and Denise Tims
Urban Neighbours of Hope
Dave (Pākehā) and Denise Tims (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tukorehe) have spent over 35 years living and working alongside those grappling with poverty and marginalisation through Te Ora Hou, Youth for Christ, and currently Urban Neighbours of Hope.
Denise lectures in Te Ao Māori at Carey Baptist College, while Dave coordinates the Orbit Baptist Network of intentional and micro-church communities. As practitioners, they invest long-term into people and places.
They dream of seeing neighbourhoods renewed by God’s presence, where people flourish in their identity, family, and culture, in an Aotearoa where a covenantal Tiriti o Waitangi is honoured in practice
Miriam Shilston
Catalyst Movement
Born and raised in Te Awakairangi, Wellington. Married to Rachel since 2016 and Pāpā to Mana. A youth and community developer since 2004, passionate about creating spaces where mokopuna can thrive, feel seen, and shape the world around them. Previously served as Pouwhakamana at Zeal Youth Aotearoa and Kaiāwhina at World Vision NZ, and now at Mana Mokopuna. Studied a Bachelor in Indigenous Theology (Māori & Pasifika), Te Reo Māori, and Māori Leadership. Shaped by my relationship with Ihu, I seek to live out justice, liberation, and restoration in ways that honour both Tāngata Whenua and Tāngata Tiriti, fulfilling the message of Te Rongopai.
Carl Tinnion
CMS (Church Missionary Society)
Carl spent 30 years working with YWAM and in that time worked and travelled to over 50
countries. He has always worked in edge ministries with a passion for the unchurched and de-churched.
He is an artist, theologian, chef and storyteller and now works part time for NZCMS as a mission catalyst, equipping people for overseas work. He is also the assistant (Anglican) priest in Te Puke with a focus on planting a new congregation.
Philippa Cochrane
World Vision
Philippa was raised in Queenstown and is happiest in the southern mountains thinking about how to solve great world problems. She was a World Vision 40 Hour Challenge leader at High School and never really got over how awesome youth activism is. It led to studying Geography at Otago University, a diploma in Youthwork through Praxis and working on and off for World Vision for the last ten years. Still obsessed with social justice, she has found a sweet spot at the Schools and Youth Team Manager, working with rangatahi to take social action whether that be advocating, volunteering or fundraising. Outside of that, Adventure Racing with her German Short Haired Pointer pup called Fig around the port hills where they live in Ōtautahi keeps her active!
Hamish Dobbie
Ngāti Ruanui, Anglican
He uri ia nō Ngāti Ruanui, rātou ko Ngāruahine, ko Te Ātiawa anō hoki. He minita ia i te Haahi Mihinare, ā, he kaimahi hoki ia ki Te Wānanga Ihorangi, he kura rūmaki reo ki Tāmaki Makaurau. Ko tōna tūranga matua ki reira, ko te kaiwhakaputa o te pukapuka oro o Te Paipera Tapu. Ko tōna kohara he tuitui i te whakapono ki te reo, me te mātauranga Māori kia whakahauora ai i te Haahi.
Zac Shilston
Urban Vision
Zac Shilston has been a companion in Urban Vision communities and a missional worker with particular aroha for multicultural and interfaith ministries in Aotearoa. He is passionate about the good news of Jesus' love and justice for the least.