Common Grace Aotearoa has released three high-quality, expertly produced "ready to run" workshops to help Christian communities step into public life and take a stand on a fair go for everyone. 

The three workshops come with Powerpoint presentations that embed an introduction, ground rules, questions for reflection, activities and three 8-minute videos that go deep into the issue being explored. 

The three 1hr45 minute sessions are designed for wider church settings and groups new to linking faith and political action. "Thriving in this Land" sessions look at housing, income inequity, climate damage and the value of Treaty partnership for both Pākehā and Māori.

An introductory video provides useful guidelines on running a group, including how to deal with racism or inequality amongst the participants. 

In the introduction video on faith in politics, Petra Bagust interviews Venn Foundation CEO Rev Dr Nathan McLellan and Dr Bonnie Robinson from the Salvation Army Policy & Parliamentary Unit on the need for Christians to engage in policy and politics. Te Hāhi Mihinare parishes leaning into Te Oranga Ake or Anglican parishes already engaged in linking faith and social action will find they are already standing where this video leads.

Cost of Living

The first video of the Cost of Living session looks at "Loving our neighbour in tough economic times". Most Anglicans will find few surprises here, but for some it is a useful reminder of the biblical roots of Christian advocacy.  Presenters include Bishop Anashuya Fletcher and Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge who speak with urgency on the prophetic call for Christians to side with people who are missing out.

Housing

Rev Charles Waldegrave from the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit fronts the video on "Housing challenges in Aotearoa", joined by social housing policy experts. Its up-to-date insights pinpoint New Zealand's housing stress points, what's changed in Government policy to weaken home ownership and social housing stock, and how to turn it around with moral and political will.

Income

The video resource on income levels, wages, and racial or disability-driven poverty acts as a wake-up call for anyone who hasn't experienced hardship. This video includes a practical list of ways politicians could shift economic development to where it is most needed.

Climate

 The climate session's first video from Canadian climate scientist Prof. Katherine Hayhoe is pitched for church communities unsure of their commitment to climate action.

In the second climate video Professor Jonathan Boston shares disturbing details on the number of people in Aotearoa whose homes and livelihoods are under threat from climate-damage related weather patterns, particularly cyclones and floods. The latter portion of the video comprises branded World Vision content on the theme.

Climate video three features Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary Rev  Dr James Bhagwan calling on NZers to cut emissions in solidarity with Pacific churches and peoples. It ends on an uplifting chord with specific policy changes to end New Zealand's place among the world's worst fossil fuel users per capita.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi video begins with an engaging conversation between Dean of Taranaki the Very Rev Jay Ruka and Dr Alistair Reese, whose take on Christian involvement in the Treaty centres on its English drafter's theological roots in the Clapham Sect. Anglicans may wish to look closer at mātauranga Mihinare on the Treaty and highlight both Anglican and Māori influences on the text.

In the second Treaty video Dr Carwyn Jones (Ngāi Te Apatu, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) sets out the basic legal content and context of the Treaty, including why international law prioritises the text in te reo Māori, how the Treaty recognises Māori as a sovereign people, and how the Treaty protects religious freedom.

Perhaps most surprising is the third Treaty video on Crown-Māori reconciliation up to today, showing the journey thus far. 

Former National Party Treaty Negotiations Minister Hon Chris Finlayson joins Waitangi Tribunal member Rev Dr David Williams and Professor Claire Charters (Ngāti Whakaue, Tūwharetoa, Ngā Puhi, Tainui) Professors from the Auckland University Faculty of Law in this critical but hopeful conversation.  

To find out more about the Common Grace Aotearoa "Thriving in this Land" workshop resources (which are free to download and run) go to: https://www.commongrace.nz/thriving