The Anglican Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki believe that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and to keep all people safe.
These ministry standards apply to everyone in licensed Anglican ministry, and to non-licensed office holders, including:
• Ordained ministers (priests, deacons, bishops)
• Licensed lay ministers
• Licensed volunteer leaders
• Trustees
• Elected leaders (vestry, synod, committee, board members)
If you have experienced behaviours that do no meet these standards yourself, or seen them happening to someone else, you have a right to speak out and be heard. Your complaints and concerns will be taken seriously and handled confidentially.
Contact the Ministry Standards Commission
All office holders of the Anglican Church are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour and there are disciplinary processes in place if they fail to do so.
The Anglican Church has established a Ministry Standards Commission to deal with complaints. All complaints about any alleged misbehaviour by an ordained minister, licensed person, or office holder are now received and handled by the Registrar of the Ministry Standards Commission, who can be confidentially contacted on 0800 004 031 (messages checked daily by the independent Registrar) or [email protected].
More information can be found on the Commission’s website www.ministrystandards.org
If you have experienced any sort of abuse, bullying, or inappropriate behaviour by someone outside the categories above you have other options. You may contact;
- Your local priest or vicar
- You local archdeacon (see list here)
- Our diocesan offices.
Our safeguarding policy
Our diocesan safeguarding resources and policies can be be viewed at the links below
Safeguarding Guidelines & Code of Conduct – Children
Safeguarding Guidelines & Code of Conduct – Youth
Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care examined what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in state and faith-based care in New Zealand between 1950 and 1999. It completed its inquiry and delivered its final report, Whanaketia – Through Pain and Trauma, from Darkness to Light, in 2024. The Commission has now concluded its work, and its former contact centre (the 0800 222 727 line) is no longer operating.
Support for survivors continues through the Survivor Experiences Service, which listens to and records the experiences of people abused in state, faith-based or other care, and helps with access to personal records. Please note that it is not a crisis or emergency service.
Survivor Experiences Service
Phone: 0800 456 090
Text: 8328
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.survivorexperiences.govt.nz
If you need to talk with someone urgently, free and confidential help is available at any time:
- Need to Talk? – call or text 1737
- Safe to Talk (sexual harm) – 0800 044 334, or text 4334
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354, or text 4357
The Royal Commission’s final report and other publications remain available to read at www.abuseincare.org.nz.