Blog

The Vicar-General of the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki, the Venerable Trevor Harrison has agreed to step into the senior leadership role in the Taranaki Cathedral parish until a new Dean is appointed at the cathedral. Archdeacon Harrison who is currently working in South Taranaki across five parishes will commence his cathedral responsibilities on 1 June 2018. He is the second most senior ordained person in the Diocese after the Bishop of Taranaki, Philip Richardson. As Vicar-General of the Diocese, Archdeacon... read more

On Thursday 17 May 2018 at 12.15pm at the Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary, Christopher Luke, Director of Music to Taranaki Community & Cathedral will present his 100th organ recital. Since his first recital in March 2012, Luke has enjoyed entertaining audiences throughout Taranaki with organ performances at each of New Plymouth’s major churches of St Joseph’s, St Andrew’s, Whiteley Memorial and the Cathedral, along with Holy Trinity and St Andrew’s churches in Stratford and St Mary’s in Hawera. Over... read more

Like a harmonious choir, the successful remediation of Taranaki Cathedral is dependent on all parts being in tune. One of those is the building’s renowned acoustics. With Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary to host a wide range of arts, music and drama events once earthquake-strengthened, as well as regular church services, weddings and funerals, it is important that the acoustics are not adversely impacted by proposed modifications. Working on this are acousticians Daniel Protheroe and Arthur Postles, of Marshall Day... read more

Neil and Raewyn Wolfe with the commemorative certificate of their wedding day at St Mary’s Church. Being fashionably late to her wedding wasn’t an option for bride Raewyn Phillips – hers was just one of four held at St Mary’s Church on a busy Saturday in April 1966. “Our service was at 11am and the Reverend stressed to us that I couldn’t be late because there was another wedding at 1pm,” says Raewyn, who married well-known Taranaki rugby player Neil... read more

The Government’s multi-million dollar commitment to the development of Taranaki Cathedral has given the project team confidence work can be under way by May next year. “This funding gives us the ability to really look ahead with surety and set dates for when work can begin,” The Cathedral Project remediation and design manager Jenny Goddard said. “We can now accelerate our planning with engineering specialists and consultants, and begin preparing resource consents to push ahead with the work. “By May 2019... read more

With St Chad, St Michael and St Aidan watching every move, Mark Whyte carefully takes a sample of grout from the beautiful 120-year-old stone reredos near the altar of Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary. Whether the saints approve, it’s hard to tell – the stern look on St Chad’s face suggests otherwise – but the work has their best interests at heart. Stone sculptor Mark, and business partner stone mason Robin Ayers, from Christchurch company Goldfield Stone Ltd, are in... read more

The Very Reverend Michael Bent provided this reflection on the life of Rev. Geoff Ginever, who passed away in March 2018 read more

Today is quite a watershed moment in my life. Today after this service I will be gainfully unemployed. In the next few days, Gay and I will be on our way back to Christchurch where I am going to retire, or as the Listener put it about us baby boomers, rewire. I think this is the fourth and final time that I am re tiring, and no doubt the re wiring will lead to all sorts of interesting ventures in the... read more

Taranaki Cathedral Dean Peter Beck says a Government announcement today to invest up to $5 million for the development of the Cathedral is a “fantastic boost” for the project. “This is fabulous and gives some certainty around the future of our historic Cathedral,” Dean Peter said. “We are greatly appreciative and excited by this announcement. “There is still a lot of work to be done and we are truly thankful for the tremendous support the New Plymouth and wider Taranaki... read more

Dear friends I am so grateful to God for these last two years that Gay and I have spent with you. When Archbishop Philip spoke with me and invited me to consider becoming Dean of Taranaki, it certainly felt like God's call as much as the archbishop's! I had been Dean of Christchurch for 10 years and had lived and ministered through the earthquakes to a community in shock with a cathedral pretty much in ruins, and amongst thousands of people... read more