The Anglican Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki believe that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and to keep all people safe.
These ministry standards apply to everyone in licensed Anglican ministry, and to non-licensed office holders, including:
• Ordained ministers (priests, deacons, bishops)
• Licensed lay ministers
• Licensed volunteer leaders
• Trustees
• Elected leaders (vestry, synod, committee, board members)
If you have experienced behaviours that do no meet these standards yourself, or seen them happening to someone else, you have a right to speak out and be heard. Your complaints and concerns will be taken seriously and handled confidentially.
Contact the Ministry Standards Commission
All office holders of the Anglican Church are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour and there are disciplinary processes in place if they fail to do so.
The Anglican Church has established a Ministry Standards Commission to deal with complaints. All complaints about any alleged misbehaviour by an ordained minister, licensed person, or office holder are now received and handled by the Registrar of the Ministry Standards Commission, who can be confidentially contacted on 0800 004 031 (messages checked daily by the independent Registrar) or [email protected].
More information can be found on the Commission’s website https://ministrystandards.org/
If you have experienced any sort of abuse, bullying, or inappropriate behaviour by someone outside the categories above you have other options. You may contact;
- Your local priest or vicar
- You local archdeacon (see list here)
- Our diocesan offices.
Our safeguarding policy
Our diocesan safeguarding resources and policies can be be viewed at the links below
Safeguarding Guidelines & Code of Conduct – Children
Safeguarding Guidelines & Code of Conduct – Youth
Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is looked into what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in state and faith-based care between 1950 and 1999.
To find out what support services are available, visit their website here. Survivors can also get in touch with their contact centre at the details below.
Phone: 0800 222 727 8.30am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday or text 8185
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Royal Commission of Inquiry, PO Box 10071, The Terrace, Wellington 6140
Website: www.abuseincare.org.nz