Blog

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

During Holy week we offer Communion services every day. read more

The Taranaki Cathedral’s significance to the community and its vision for the future has led the New Plymouth Bridge Club to make a generous $2800 donation towards The Cathedral Project. Each year the club selects a local charity or community organisation as the recipient of money raised at the President’s Charity Night, and this time The Cathedral Project was chosen. The New Plymouth Bridge Club’s immediate past president Murray Carter said more than 120 people took part in the fun evening,... read more

With plenty of blood, sweat and tears – and millions of dollars – being invested to earthquake strengthen and upgrade Taranaki Cathedral, keeping it safe once complete is a priority. That includes keeping it safe from fire. As part of The Taranaki Cathedral Project work, fire engineer Sam Grindrod, from fire engineering consultancy Holmes Fire, recently made a site visit to evaluate the life safety aspects of the building and to determine what form of early warning system from fire would... read more

Many parishioners of St Mary's served in one or other of the world wars, and all too many of them were killed. Special church services during WWI did something to ease the pain of loss. read more