Welcome to Baptist Women New Zealand
Baptist Women New Zealand is an advocacy group within the Baptist Churches of New Zealand.
OUR PURPOSE
To advocate for women to have full and equal opportunities in the Baptist Churches of New Zealand, in order to bring gospel renewal to all people.
We do this through communication, education, and pastoral care. To do these things well, we will strengthen our structure.
Who we are
We are a group of women from all around Aotearoa, who are involved in our local churches and are passionate about seeing women thrive in our Baptist movement. We aim to have representatives from each Baptist Regional Association, and we hope to reflect the diversity that is found within the Baptist Churches. See the current members of the board by going to the 'Contacts' tab.
What we do
We advocate for women in Baptist Churches at the national, regional, and local levels. At the national level, we are involved with the Baptist Assembly Council and at Carey Baptist College, by supporting their work to advocate for women in our churches. We also attend the Baptist annual hui, and hold a women's breakfast there. At the regional level, we connect with the Baptist Regional Leaders and attend the Regional Hui. At the local level, we support local women leaders, promote local events for women, and we can be a point of contact for women in our churches who need someone to talk to.
How you can be involved
Follow our Facebook page, or join the conversation in our private Facebook group. Let us know when you have a women's event at your church that you'd like us to promote. Check out the resources and articles on our website. Come and chat to us at Baptist Hui, we'd love to meet you.
Baptist Women New Zealand news, stories and media
Our new purpose
The annual update from Baptist Women New Zealand for 2024.
Some advice for myself
Ahead of International Women’s Day, pastor Shelley Motu’apuaka reflects on why abiding in Jesus so hard for some women, especially those in leadership.
A lament for women in the Baptist movement
A powerful lament given by Baptist Women New Zealand to 2024 National Hui delegates acknowledging the negative experiences of some women in our movement.
100 years of heyday: Baptist Women’s Missionary Union
A history of women bringing vigour and passion to New Zealand Baptist missions.
Waiheke Island women’s conference
Women from churches on the island and in Auckland gather for fellowship and encouragement.
Deeper into the heart of God
Women share their transformational experiences seeking God together at retreats hosted at Baptist Churches across New Zealand.
Olwyn (née Gaze) Halder 1936—
Olwyn served as a nurse tutor in East Pakistan and Bangladesh and became a gifted Bible teacher in Bengali. Marrying Bangladeshi Dinesh Halder when missionaries…
Sheila Pritchard, 1945–
Sheila became a much-admired catalyst and leader who encouraged spiritual formation and the contemplative tradition in New Zealand.
Heather MacLeod: Totally work that God wants us to do
Heather served for decades as a leader in World Vision International, supporting the protection of children and families in vulnerable situations around the world.
Julie Belding
The story of the first female editor of the New Zealand Baptist.
Olwyn Dickson (nee Brown) Born 1940
Her creativity shone in designing celebrations, the women’s organisations that were active in the late 20th century, and her international women’s work with the Baptist…
Global Worship Service 2023
Ladies, an invite to connect with Baptist women worldwide in joint worship and prayer next month.
Pondering: Why few women are senior pastors in Baptist churches
“As sole pastor, for over a decade now… I have faced challenges. Some challenges are unique to our specific location, some due to being single…
Mabel Annie Newlands (1902–1983)
From Timaru Baptist, Annie was a community leader who helped write the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
Anne Turley (nee Churcher)
Anne Turley was the first paid, full-time, woman Pastoral Assistant in the Wellington Baptist Association. That proved to be one of several preludes to her…
A call to prayer: People who have ceased attending church
Today Odele Habets prays for people who have ceased attending church. Join in these daily prayers from 18-25 June 2023 in this Call to prayer…
A call to prayer: Baptist women in positions of leadership
Today Roi Nu Maran prays for Baptist women in positions of leadership. Join in these daily prayers from 18-25 June 2023 in this Call to…
Pondering: Women can’t be pastors?
The decision to not let women be pastors is settling for less when we were made for so much more. Christa McKirland reflects on the…
A call to prayer: Relationships
Today Fololi Lologa-Iosua prays for relationships. Join in these daily prayers from 18-25 June 2023 in this Call to prayer from our women.
A call to prayer: The women of Carey Baptist College
Today Helen Brereton prays for the women of Carey Baptist College. Join in these daily prayers from 18-25 June 2023 in this Call to prayer…
A call to prayer: Those under pressure to conform
Today Iunisi Katoa prays for those under pressure to conform. Join in these daily prayers from 18-25 June 2023 in this Call to prayer from…
A call to prayer: Those suffering loss and grief
Today Julie Polglaze prays for those suffering loss and grief. Join in these daily prayers from 18-25 June 2023 in this Call to prayer from…
A call to prayer: Cultural inclusion
Today Chris Beales-White prays for cultural inclusion. Join in these daily prayers from 18-25 June 2023 in this Call to prayer from our women.
A call to prayer: Openness to God
Today Emma Stokes prays for openness to God. Join in these daily prayers from 18-25 June 2023 in this Call to prayer from our women.
Nell Jones (née Helen Gillanders) 1898–1975
Nell learned the Bru language and gave the first known sermon in Bru language. She followed that with Scripture translation and hymns.
Woman of the month: Marnie Turner (Dovey) 1918-2013
Marjorie Turner carried out pioneering mission work in East Pakistan and Tripura during and after World War I, the first woman to manage alone a…
Woman of the month: Claire Hart (nee Gilbert) 1926-2022
Claire Gilbert Hart (1926-2022), commencing in the mid-1950s, ministered in the Baptist scene and Baptist churches to such a level she became a trailblazer in…
Woman of the month: Elizabeth Jones 1936-
What could a classically trained opera singer do musically in a remote tribal village?
Woman of the month: Nancy Squire 1941-2023
Nancy was the first woman as Regional Director of Baptist Social Services and the first woman employed on the teaching staff at Carey Baptist College.
A VICTORIOUS LIFE – Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer – Nov 11
Starting on October 15th with a worship service, continuing for 40 days of prayer, and then finishing up with the Day of Prayer itself on…
Woman of the month: Reti Ah-Voa
Reti Ah-Voa has worked as human resources manager for a Middle East international mission agency, studied and guided students at Carey Baptist College, and is…
Woman of the month: Bev Holt 1941-
Bev ran youth work in the 1970s and 1980s and became the Baptist Youth Ministries’ National, Director, creating a lively and highly effective sector.
Woman of the Month: Annette Denholm 1941-
Annette Denholm made her mark in the churches where she and her husband Barry served, and later was the third female President of the Baptist…
Woman of the Month: Janet Donald 1819-1892
Janet Donald was a prime mover in the commencement of the first Baptist church in Auckland, on Wellesley Street, and took the same initiative to…
Women’s History day and woman of the Month: Elinor Thornton 1867-1946
Elinor Thornton (nee Wilson) was a preacher/evangelist in her 20s and early 30s. After marrying Guy Thornton, they served together in several Baptist churches and…
Women’s History day and Woman of the Month: Merrilyn Withers 1951 –
Merrilyn was best known for her work among youth in her local church, regionally, and nationally. She was greatly loved and looked up to by…
Woman of the Month: Anne Brown 1916-1990
Anne Brown and her husband Royston served as missionaries in India in what became East Pakistan, later Bangladesh. After serving there before, during and after…
Ormiston Community Baptist Church ladies celebrate the 2021 Day of Prayer
In theme, Marguerite Carter spoke to us about ‘Courage’, Poh took us through the 4 projects we fundraise for this year and we prayed for…
Woman of the Month: Marjory Gibson McSaveney 1942-
Rev Marjory Gibson was one of the first women who served in various ministry roles: assistant pastor for Whanganui Central Baptist 1981-86, dean of MISSIONZ…
Woman of the month: Tony Joy Wansbrough (née Albrecht)
As a medical doctor, Tony realised the enormous needs of asylum seekers and other needy people. She became a determined advocate and activist, making life…
Woman of the month: Emma Beckingsale 1870-1955
After two years studying Bengali, Emma arrived in Chandpur, on the huge Lower Meghna River, south of Dhaka, to do medical work...
Woman of the Month: Muriel Larsen (nee Crafts) 1935-2013
A missionary in Maharashtra, India, Muriel was weakened by polio contracted in her first years overseas. Nevertheless she stayed on the field working on building…
Woman of the Month: Hazel Drew Smith 1919-2003
Hazel served with the NZBMS in East Pakistan (Bangladesh) and Tripura, India from 1947 to 1965. In 1975, aged about 56, She married a Baptist…
Woman of the Month: Pauline Stansfield 1939-
Pauline Stansfield became a paraplegic at age 29 in an accident. After becoming a nurse tutor and practicing for some time, Pauline then worked in…
Woman of the Month: Mere Pou 1922-1991
Mere was the first Māori appointed for full-time Māori ministry within the Baptist church. She was supported in this by both the local church and…
Woman of the Month: Raema Low 1939-
From being a missionary nurse in Nepal, Raema returned to New Zealand with TB of the kidney in 1979. She recovered, and later became the…
Women’s History Sunday celebrated at Ponsonby Baptist Church
As we trod as pilgrims the path to Easter, Ponsonby Baptist people also celebrated Baptist Women’s History month.
Amelia Gavidi (1959-2021)
The Immediate Past President of the Baptist Women of the Pacific, Amelia Gavidi, has suddenly passed away. She was a woman of joy and faith,…
Women’s History Month: Joan Milner 1921-2018
Joan Milner was the first Baptist full-time worker among Māori. She was based in Lower Waikato—Waiuku and Pukekohe and marae nearby.
Women’s History Month: Pat Preest 1928-2014
Pat Preest was the first woman ordained by the Baptist Union of New Zealand and served as a hospital chaplain. “Because my Lord Jesus Christ…
Women’s History Month: Vivienne Boyd, DBE., 1926-2011
Vivienne Boyd received a knighthood for her highly active contribution in community and public affairs nationally. She was a loyal Baptist throughout her life and…
Women’s History Month: Kate Edger (later Evans) 1857-1935
Kate was the first woman in New Zealand to gain a university degree and the first in the British Empire with a BA, so demonstrating…
Women’s History Month: Rosalie Macgeorge 1859-1891
Rosalie was the second missionary from New Zealand, the first sent beyond the Pacific, and the first missionary sent by the New Zealand Baptist Missionary…
Woman of the Month: Dr Nola Ivory 1904-1988
Dr Nola Ivory was the first woman doctor in the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society (NZBMS), serving from 1931 to 1961. She superintended two hospitals,…
“Setting the Captives Free” Giving to International Baptist Work
In Ghana, a couple of Baptist pastors fought against the plight of young women enslaved in the age-old practice of trokosi.
“Just Kai” released 2020 Christmas guide
Buying guides for Christmas slave-free grocery shopping
Woman of the Month: Amelia Randall 1844-1930
Amelia Randall’s life was like that of the servant with ten talents, who while receiving a lot, made a lot more out of it. But…
What do you see?
I am noticing that our eyes are focused on what is right in front of us. But what if we were able to shift our…
Notice opportunities to uphold women
I have sometimes been told that we don’t have significant systemic issues for women in NZ. But in the last week I have seen two…
“Women as Leaders” posters
Free posters that display various women of the Bible and their God-ordained roles in their communities and times.
Unorthodox: review
It is very easy to point the finger, and notice where another religion or way of life has limited women – but not notice where…
Trusting in a Person, not an explanation
Trusting in the Lord and not in my own understanding or explanations of why things are happening as they are enables me to put my…