It’s clear that since the first Covid case in late February 2020, many families across New Zealand are facing real personal, relational, financial, emotional and spiritual challenges.
Local churches continue to be involved, offering compassion, assistance and hope.
Tauranga–Western Bay churches seeking the welfare of the city’s communities
Across Tauranga and the Western Bay there are many organisations that exist to build community and help people. 120 diverse churches are amongst them, providing a myriad of family and community-focused ministries, including both practical and prayerful support.
Our churches understand together that “seeking the welfare of the city” is a shared vision. We each play our part alongside various other community and Government agencies.
The diversity of our churches is a strength, providing local support offered in English, Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Filipino, Chinese, Indian, South African and other languages.
Many provide pastoral care and counsel for families, married and unmarried couples and single and sole parent families. Families are so important, and especially in these unprecedented times.
NZ Government Marriage and Divorce Statistics
In 2020, there were 16,779 marriages and civil unions by New Zealand residents, down from 19,071 in 2019.
There were a further 2892 non-resident couples married in New Zealand in 2019 too.
The NZ Registrar of Marriages attributes the overall drop in 2020 to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Divorce Statistics
In 2020, 7707 couples were granted divorces involving 5973 children under 17 years of age.
In 2019, 8391 couples were granted divorces involving 6201 children under 17 years of age.
A Call to Action
We all know that no one wins in a divorce. These families need all of our support – as do those who remain married. Strong families are still a good ‘health indicator’ for a society.
And in whatever ways our local churches can help, we would love to.
Weekend to Remember with FamilyLife NZ On the weekend of Friday, August 13, to Sunday, August 15, Tauranga was host to a special weekend event for 80 couples at Trinity Wharf Hotel.
The event, purposed to strengthen marriages, was a great success – and it very fortunately took place a week before the Level 4 Lockdown.
The FamilyLife NZ team plan to return to Tauranga in 2022, to host an event called A Day Together for 40 to 50 couples, and another Weekend to Remember seminar for up to 80 couples. We have hosted the A Day Together Couple seminars here for the last 10 years.
Celebrating marriage and family in the Bay of Plenty
September 12-18 is NZ Marriage week – planned in association with NZ Christian Network.
Marriage Week has a clear purpose, to remind couples to take time to invest in their marriages and family relationships and to seek help, long before the divorce word is mentioned.
Help online - Relationship/Marriage and Family Ministries
FamilyLife NZ – Relationship Seminars & Marriage Mentors
Alpha NZ – The Marriage & Pre-Marriage Courses
Prepare Enrich NZ – Pre-Marriage and Relationship Strengthening
Focus on the Family NZ – Marriage Assessment & 5 Love Languages
Tauranga Moana Marriages Trust - Relationship & Pre-Marriage Counsel and Courses (Ph 021 400 874)
Help online - Community Services
Good Neighbour – Transforming Communities
Pregnancy Choice – Information & support Helpline - 0800 773 424
CAP – Christians Against Poverty – Get free from debt and poverty
Cool Bananas Youthwork Trust – Inspiring children to thrive
Get Smart – Drug & Alcohol Services
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