At the recent General Synod/Te Hīnota Whānui in Fiji Glynn Cardy asked those presiding, the Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, the following question:

I would like you to assure the house that the lack of public statements from this Hīnota Whānui addressing the political arena, and here I’m thinking especially of the actions of the New Zealand Government in caring more about the income and benefits of the rich than the diminishing support and resources of the poor, that the lack of debate is not reflective of the will and commitment of the Synod and will endeavour, through the General Synod Standing Committee, to prepare adequately to express our Gospel imperatives in the political arena at future General Synods/nga Hīnota Whānui.

The Archbishops gave the following response:

We pledge ourselves as Chairs of the Standing Committee of General Synod, to express our commitment to our Gospel imperatives in the political arena at future General Synods, to challenge the government of Aotearoa, New Zealand, in caring more about the income and benefits of the rich and the diminishing support and resources of the poor.

We also note the significant and ongoing work in this area, resourced by our Social Justice Commission, of Church Leaders, including our own Church in partnership with the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services.

What do you think?