Tēnā koutou katoa,

It was a deep honour to speak at Parliament to mark World Humanitarian Day 2025 - a day that commemorates the lives of humanitarian workers lost in the line of duty, and the tens of millions more who continue their courageous work in the world’s most difficult places.

As I stood before a room of MPs, government officials, and NGO leaders and staff, I was struck not just by the solemnity of the occasion, but by the shared commitment in the room. Whether policy makers or aid workers, we were united by a common belief: that every human life is precious, and that improving the lives of others is not just a job, but a calling.

Humanitarianism, though often seen as a modern movement, is anything but new. Across faiths and cultures, we are reminded of the ancient and sacred call to care for the vulnerable. And that call feels more urgent now than ever.

Some of the statistics are truly staggering:

• 305 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2025

• 400 million children live in or are fleeing conflict zones

• Humanitarian workers are being killed at record rates, with 95% of those deaths affecting local responders

• And in Gaza, where Anglican Missions supports the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, the facility has now been attacked nine times.

I shared these figures because we cannot look away.

Anglican Missions has always believed that faith demands action. Our work is grounded in the belief that every person deserves safety, dignity, and hope. And while the challenges are immense, so too is the courage and compassion of those we partner with.

This year’s World Humanitarian Day theme acknowledged the system itself is underfunded, overwhelmed, and under attack. But it also reminded me: the solution doesn’t rest on governments alone. It rests with all of us.

When we pray, when we give, when we advocate and speak up for what is right, we are all part of this movement. And for that, we should be proud.

As we gathered to reflect on the lives of humanitarians lost this year, we shared some words together, which I invite you to read now:

Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth;

lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust;

lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.

Let peace fill our hearts and our world.

Let it be so.

Anglican Missions is thrilled to share that we’ve received a generous grant from the United Thank Offering (UTO) to support vital water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) work in Fiji.

Building on our successful pilot in Nadawa, this next phase will help improve health, dignity, and daily life for families living in informal settlements. The UTO grant will enable the construction of safe, private toilet and shower blocks in Yavala (near Sigatoka) and Waidradra, in partnership with the Anglican Church in Polynesia.

The project is also being supported by MMM, whose skilled volunteers are donating their time and energy to bring it to life. MMM in Fiji is led by Roy and Rachael Hogan who are mission partners with NZCMS.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of UTO and the commitment of MMM. Access to safe and private sanitation is essential for health and dignity, and this project will make a tangible difference for families in these communities.”

— Mark Mitchell, Humanitarian & Development Manager, Anglican Missions

The United Thank Offering is a ministry of The Episcopal Church (USA) that funds innovative mission projects around the world. Anglican Missions is honoured to be one of this year’s recipients.

Over the coming weeks and months, several of our team will be travelling, both to connect with you at Synods and workshops, and to represent Anglican Missions internationally.

Mark will travel to Papua New Guinea alongside Bishop Andrew from Waiapu Diocese and other Anglican agencies. This visit will focus on reviewing projects funded in previous years as well as exploring options for future support through local churches in the Province.

From there, he heads to Dubai to participate in an international Anglican Alliance conference. This conference will be an opportunity to highlight lessons from our shared work in the Pacific, and a chance for the church to explore new opportunities for collaboration in humanitarian response.

Jen has been selected for the Emerging Leaders Academy, a cross-cultural leadership programme for young Anglican leaders. She’ll attend a three-week residential course at St Julian’s Retreat Centre in Limuru, Kenya, followed by a year of monthly online learning and fellowship back home. We're so excited for Jen, and can't wait to hear back from her and her experience in Kenya.

David and Luca will be representing Anglican Missions at various Synods and workshops across the country, and are looking forward to connecting with you all.

Finally, Michael will be taking some personal leave for a well deserved, and much looked forward to trip to the UK with his father.

We appreciate your patience and prayers for our team as we're on the move!