A bid to get more people eating fruit and veg – at discount prices – is building communities and Christian interdenominational networks throughout NZ. Now the Food Together programme is spreading to Taranaki with the cathedral pivotal to its local distribution. It started as a three-week pilot in June, and has now become a permanent social enterprise in the region. It works like this: People view the fruit and veg menu each Friday on the Food Together Facebook page, place their... read more

Hamilton-based Beca geotechnical engineer, Madeleine Prebble and Jordan Young, an undergraduate in mechanical engineering. A geotech study into the land surrounding the Taranaki Cathedral was successfully completed this month and early results are promising, says Jenny Goddard. “Part of the reason is the potential for liquefaction and seismic-induced settlement of the site when there’s an earthquake,” Jenny explains. “We are cautiously optimistic.” The work is essential in order to determine how stable the soil is prior to the $15 million earthquake... read more

The Very Reverend Dean Peter Beck is deeply passionate about leading the charge to restore Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary’s. His dream is to see the completed $15m project, named The Cathedral Project – A Taranaki Taonga, open its doors to all. “The cathedral will be a place of welcome for all faiths and none,” predicts Dean Peter, pictured above on the left with Archbishop Philip Richardson. “This building will have its way with you. I do sense the... read more

Two of the campaign fundraising leaders share not only Peter as their first names but are united in their passion to have the restored Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary’s open its doors to one and all. The Very Reverend Dean Peter Beck has come out of retirement in Christchurch to see the church return to its rightful place in the Taranaki community, to be earthquake strengthened and future-proofed. He and campaign executive chairman Peter Tennent are united in their... read more

Taranaki Real Estate agent Robert Angus is one of the first substantial donors of The Cathedral Project. His association with St Mary’s spans a lifetime – he was baptised and confirmed in the historic church, and recalls his whole family attending services over decades. Recently his Mum Avis Angus was the key link, remembers Robert. “She was always giving to St Mary’s and loved and celebrated the church life. Dad was dragged along sometimes.” Says Robert. “It was a great community... read more

Taranaki videographer Keith Finnerty has filmed this video of the cathedral’s interior. Watch it above or here. The short visual walk-around reminds us of the beauty and serenity of the historic building – one of the top 50 sites to visit in New Zealand. It also helps to see parts of the church you would not normally view such as the very tops of the organ pipes and the soaring roof. Note that the video was filmed after the removal... read more

The fund-raising campaign for the Cathedral Project has well and truly begun. Donations and pledges to earthquake strengthen and future-proof the iconic Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary are already coming in. By the end of April 2017, three-quarters of a million dollars has either been pledged or donated to The Cathedral Project – A Taranaki Taonga. This includes a number of individual donations of $100,000. Dean Peter Beck says this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be... read more

A new office and campaign manager are visible signs The Cathedral Project is gathering momentum. A temporary building has been lowered onto the site of the Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary to house an office and campaign manager Jan Mason. The Cathedral Project – A Taranaki Taonga is the name of the major campaign to raise funds and develop historic St Mary’s on Vivian St New Plymouth. The major focus is earthquake strengthening and reopening the 170-year-old stone church –... read more