Blog

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

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

TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA my warmest greetings to you. No one saw the Resurrection. No one knows when it happened or how. There was no car chase. No government enquiry. No coverage on ‘Seven Sharp'. No body. read more

Church took on a rustic quality one weekend in February as everyone decamped to TOPEC, on the outskirts of New Plymouth. For the first time in many years the whole congregation gathered somewhere other than Vivian St for a Sunday service. Close to 100 people squeezed into the main hall at TOPEC (Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits Education Centre) on Hydro Rd, a five-minute drive south of New Plymouth. For some, it was the best all-ages service they’d experienced. Others commented on... read more

Our schedule of services for Holy Week and Easter read more

Notice of the agenda for the Annual General Meeting of the Taranaki Cathedral Church to be held on 26th March at 1.30pm in the Interim Cathedral. [Papers for this meeting will be available at services on Sunday 19th March and from the Welcome Desk during the following week] read more

Rob Ritchie played a part in organising the recent Parihaka Day service at the Interim Cathedral. It occurred five months after then-mayor Andrew Judd led a procession to the coastal settlement, and it was 135 years to the day after the settlement was invaded by British forces. He reflects on the service and its ‘found poem.’ On November 5 a beautiful reunion occurred at the Interim Cathedral/St Mary’s Peace Hall between two Parihaka Hikoi participants: Sue and Chris and two of... read more

A tune telling the story of peaceful protests at Parihaka township has been reworked, with its first public performance at a service in the Interim Cathedral on November 5. Musician Rob Green was part of New Plymouth band The Orange & Green back in 1991 when the city was celebrating its sesquicentennial. Commissioned to produce a cassette tape, it included the song ‘Parihaka’ which the group had recorded in 1990. Fellow band member Grant Dawson penned the words and at the... read more

An idea to serve a cheap, flavoursome breakfast while raising funds for charity – and bringing people together, turned two last month. The Community Café in the cathedral’s Hatherly Hall is a regular Tuesday morning (7am-10am) event. Thousands have flocked through its doors, feasting on items such as crepes, coffee, porridge and toast for $1 an item. read more

Mele Prescott boasts a Tongan background but it’s the Pakeha branch of the Anglican Church she’s starting her ‘apprenticeship’ in. She began as curate and Youth Enabler at the end of November this year, the first time Taranaki Cathedral has had a person in such a position, in recent history. Mele comes to Taranaki from St John’s Theological College in Auckland where she completed her three-year study. Born to Tongan parents who migrated to NZ in the 1970s, she grew up... read more