In the Media

News

Churches committing to eco-friendly project

By Kate Nicol-Williams, 1News Reporter, 8 October 2023

TVNZ's 1News explains what being an Eco Church is all about. Featuring stories from Ponsonby Baptist Church and Chartwell Cooperating Church.

See 1News online article here.

Green churches tackling regeneration and carbon

By Will Harvie, Stuff, 20 April 2023

Calculating their carbon footprint and tackling green projects have become missions for a growing number of New Zealand churches.

See full STUFF article here.

Radio / Podcasts

Peter Harris is the co-founder of A Rocha, a Christian environmental organisation - and the organisation behind Eco Church. Hear a bit of the story of someone who has spent their life following Jesus exploring the intersections between Christianity and conservation.

A Rocha International co-founder Peter Harris was John Cowan's guest on Real Life. Before setting off on a nationwide speaking tour, Peter and John sat down for an in depth conversation about Peter's story, his Christian faith, and how it all ties into his conservation work.

See accompanying New Zealand Herald article here.

From a love of ornithology or birdwatching, Peter Harris co-founded A Rocha, an international Christian environmental agency. While in NZ, he joined Tom and Di to talk about the journey, the changes he's seen and how we can maintain perspective on environmental issues as Christians.

James Beck, Eco Church Regional Coordinator discussest his passion for the environment and how that is impacting his work, his church, and his spirituality, as well as his own podcast, Ngā Here, that brings the environment, the bible, and te ao Māori, the world of Māori, together.

With recent weather events and the climate being at the forefront of the news, many youth are expressing anxiety around the environment. Kristel van Houte, the National Director for A Rocha New Zealand joined Diane on Rhema Afternoons to talk about this and the importance of talking about these concerns and creation care in our churches.

A growing number of churches across New Zealand are making sustainability and caring for the environment an integral part of their mission. In collaboration with A Rocha NZ, churches are signing up to be an Eco Church. Kristel van Houte joined Diane on Rhema Afternoons to talk about what being an Eco Church entails.

Kristel van Houte talks to Andrew and Dianne in the Rhema studio about A Rocha activities post-lockdown and how she ended up being featured in ‘Awhi Mai Awhi Atu’ - a new book celebrating NZ women involved in eco mission.

The Hope Seminar was held at the Transitional Cathedral in Christchurch and included speakers like the Bishop of Christchurch, Peter Carrell and National Director of A Rocha, Kristel van Houte, amongst others. Kristel van Houte joined Andrew on Rhema to talk about hope, climate change and well being.

Kristel van Houte, A Rocha National Director talks about how Jesus relates to the created world and why caring for the environment is and should be of central importance for Jesus followers.

Awhi Mai Awhi Atu: Women in Creation Care tells the stories of 30 Kiwi Christian women working in eco mission. This new book was compiled and edited by Christchurch Presbyterian minister, Silvia Purdie. Silvia Purdie joined Andrew and Diane on Rhema to talk creation care and her new book.

Articles

River City Press Whanganui, 26 September 2024

‘Growing a jungle’ in neglected gully: Volunteers help to turn rubbish-filled area into bird sanctuary (featuring St James’ Youth Group)
Whanganui Chronicle, 26 September 2024