New Zealand

New Zealand Hospitaller Dr Greg Coyle

There has been an increased level of activity for the Order in New Zealand thanks to older members who have greatly served our Lords the Sick and the Poor, becoming elderly and infirm themselves. This has required other members to step up and take the reins. This report outlines the activities undertaken in 2019 and provides a view of what our future might hold.

Coats for the Homeless

As with other sections of the Australasian Order of Malta, coats were distributed in Wellington and Christchurch in 2019. This year, instead of providing the coats for other charitable organisations to distribute, our small number of members walked the streets in the cold evenings in Wellington and Christchurch and gave the coats to the rough sleepers we encountered. Members also left a coat at the Central Police Station each night. We were assured that all were received with the greatest appreciation. This is a primary mission for our teams and we will be providing coats in the winter of 2020.

Mosque Shooting

Christchurch members responded admirably to the terrible shootings which occurred at the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques. Food support was provided to the members of the Mosque and offers of further support were made. We joined in prayer with our Muslim brothers and sisters at this terrible time.

Membership drive

The New Zealand Section only has 10 members and two are in retirement. We need a lot more members to achieve the goals of spiritual development, protection of the faith and service to our Lords the Sick and the Poor. To this end, in October 2019 we held an Order of Malta Mass and information evening for selected people we thought might be interested in becoming members or volunteers. We were encouraged that 20 people attended, including some from Auckland and Christchurch. Supported by the Immediate Past President of the Australian Order Dr Ian Marshall, the event was truly inspiring. After the Mass, members greeted their guests and were treated to several presentations on the history, international activities, diplomatic service, types of membership, and formation of new members. All our members spoke of why they joined the Order and how their Christian journey of Faith has been strengthened by their membership of the Order of Malta. The evening concluded with a meal at a local restaurant. The New Zealand Hospitaller has followed up everyone who attended. Several new volunteers have resulted from the evening, including a Chaplain and a few people who are seriously considering joining the Order of Malta in 2020. We pray God’s help in procuring new members in New Zealand.

Legislation reform

The issues of cannabis use, euthanasia and abortion are currently being debated in New Zealand as a proposed referenda on cannabis legalisation and euthanasia will be held at the 2020 General Election. Currently, abortion liberalisation is being debated in the Parliament. Our members (as individuals, not representing the Order) have been very active in writing letters and emails to members of parliament,

NEW ZEALAND

and submitting oral and written submissions to the Health Select Committee. Our members are also working closely with the New Zealand Care Alliance, which is working on a national campaign to defeat the euthanasia Bill, on which a referendum will be held in 2020.

Day of the Poor

In November 2019, we again partnered with St Vincent de Paul Wellington to take part in the “Free Shop” on the World Day of the Poor. Our members cooked on barbeques and served food to people who came to the Free Shop. Last year, more than 1500 people came and gathered clothing, homewares, bric-a-brac, and enjoyed communing with their neighbour’s for good music and food. This year, we offered children’s stories where one of our volunteers sat and read to children a book of their

choice. We thanked God for the fine weather the great turnout and the very successful hands on event.

Chaplains

Fr James Lyons of Wellington is to become appointed as a New Zealand Chaplin. It is hoped we can find another Priest in the South Island to also serve us as Chaplain. We pray for a successful outcome of these endeavours in 2020.

Order of Malta Asia Pacific Conference and Lourdes Pilgrimage

Two New Zealand members attended the Order of Malta Asia Pacific Conference in Melbourne in November 2019. Two members and a volunteer had committed to make the Lourdes Pilgrimage in 2020. Sadly, the pilgrimage was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Administration

As a result of changing few office bearers, we have changed our bank signatories and recently submitted our annual accounts to the New Zealand Charities Commission (No. CC44103) This registration enables all donations to the Order in New Zealand to be tax deductible.

The Order of Malta in New Zealand is in good heart and undergoing a reformation with new office bearers, new projects, a renewed vigour for defending the Faith, and a purposeful strengthening of connections with Confrères and Consoeurs of the Order of Malta in Australia.

In November 2019, the New Zealand Delegation hosted a Free Shop and barbeque for members on the World Day of the Poor.