Catharina Siraa is the Operations Advisor at the National Support Centre for the Baptist Churches of New Zealand. She is a member of Royal Oak Baptist Church in Auckland.
At the beginning of National Hui, they stand on stage and declare our national gathering to be open. We are looking at the President of the Baptist Union. But not for much longer. Each year, this important role is passed to the next candidate in a transfer of taonga.
Representatives explain the meaning of the pounamu (for President) and whalebone (for vice president) taonga before the outgoing President prays a blessing on the new President. As they step forward into their presidential year, they sign their name inside the cover of the Baptist Union President’s Bible, a taonga of our movement that bears the name of every prior President.
Over the next 12 months, our President will travel around the country, visiting churches and attending national meetings as they weave relationships through our movement. This person of mana and wisdom will input into strategic conversations that will help shape and guide our way forward.
Each year, we seek nominations for Vice President of the Baptist Union of New Zealand and the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society.
This is a voluntary two-year role, the first year as Vice President and the second as President, which serves as a representative of the Baptist faith communities and the national councils in a range of ways. From National Council and Mission Council meetings, strategic meetings with other Baptist entities, attending Regional and National Hui, and visiting churches around the country, the presidential roles are relational weavers within the movement.
It’s hard to describe exactly what the role of the President is. Each term looks different, uniquely shaped around the skills and passions of the person in the role. Previous presidents have focused on prayer, migrant churches, small churches, churches in a specific area, or encouraging churches in a specific mission focus. Through it all, they bring together many conversations and work within the life of our Baptist whānau.
The President’s role is not compensated, but a modest budget is available to cover any expenses incurred. Often – but not always, someone in their retirement has taken on the role. We seek a person of wisdom and character willing to volunteer over two years to invest in building relationships, with some travel around the country.
If you’re wondering whether you could be the next Vice President, we invite you to explore this opportunity with the current President, the National Leader, or a National Council member to gain further insight into the current needs and issues that are on the horizon.
Submissions of possible candidates for the office of Vice President are made by local churches to the National Council through a nomination process. The National Council then formally nominates a candidate for the National Hui, where church delegates participate in an election process.
More specifically, we’re looking for:
- Someone with history and insight into the story of the Baptist Union and Missionary Society is essential. Thiswill particularly relate to the direction our National Leader is currently guiding our movement as it arises from our longer-term journey.
- Someone willing to contribute to Baptist life in the contexts of our local churches, Regional Associations, National Council, Mission Council, or other Baptist Union entities. These opportunities can come in various forms and may include anything from dispute resolution to ceremonial functions.
- A person of mana in the denomination.
- A person of good character.
- Willingness to work with the National Leader of the Baptist Union, the General Director of Arotahi (NZBMS), and the associated Councils as they lead strategically.
- Ability and time to visit churches and other denominational agencies.
- Has been in active membership of a constituent church for at least five years.
- Normally, the President attends meetings of the National Council and the Mission Council and represents both during church visits.
- The position of President is unpaid, but there is a budget to cover expenses.
If you would like to nominate someone for the Vice President for 2026 who you believe fits the above attributes, please fill out the nomination form using the link below.
Note: For all nominations, the nominee must consent to being nominated. The church of which the nominee is a member must also give its support. The nominee and church will be sent this information following the submission of a nomination.
form.jotform.com/231078030810040
All forms need to be submitted by 5pm Friday 1 August 2025.
Photo: 2024 President Susan Osborne with 2025 President Allan Taylor signing the Baptist Union President’s Bible at the 2024 Baptist National Hui, Rangiora Baptist Church. Photo by Mike Crudge.
