“Theological education adds
depth and integrity to our faith,
our understanding of God and the
Bible, and our understanding of
each other.”

– Archbishop Don Tamihere

A Strategy of Growth and Transformation 2025-2030

This strategic plan was developed with input from students, staff and stakeholders and approved by Te Kaunihera, our governing body. It outlines our direction as a College, and allows stakeholders and the Church to journey with us.

Te Kurawai Matua | The Central Reservoir

To live as the central reservoir from which we may pour forth streams of living water, to feed the sheep whom God has given to our care

We exist to serve the mission of the Church, and the communities, region and world that is the Church’s mission field.

References: Jn 21:17b; George Augustus Selwyn’s sermon to Exeter Cathedral 1841

Ko Te Oranga Ake o Te Iwi, o Te Ao | The Flourishing of Humanity and of Creation

To build God’s Kingdom through Anglican Priests and lay leaders who are grounded in Aroha (love), makers of Rongo (peace), and bringers of Hari (joy)

We seek to build flourishing communities as expressions of God’s reign and realm, and through discipleship to live the loving, liberating and life-giving way of Jesus Christ.

References: Romans 14:17; Miroslav Volf (2019); Jn 10:10

Kia tapu koutou | You shall be Holy

To acknowledge, uphold, maintain, and restore te tapu o te Atua, o te tangata, o te whenua

Tapu is from God, the source of all that is Holy. Tapu also is sourced from this whenua and mātauranga as a key dimension of God’s creation.

References: 1 Peter 1: 16b; Lv 21:8; Ex 19:6; Pa Henare Tate (2010)

Building Flourishing Relationships

A welcoming, safe and inclusive community, fostering high-trust, respectful, mutually supportive internal and external relationships.

Forming Transformative Leaders

A place where Anglican Priests and lay leaders are formed who will be equipped to transform communities locally, regionally and globally.

Leading Academic Excellence

A place of recognized academic and research excellence, grounded in the richness of our Mihinare and Moana mātauranga.

Nurturing Cutting-Edge Educators

A community of cutting-edge theological educators committed to innovative research, teaching pedagogies and ministry praxis, and modelling a diversity of cultural, liturgical and theological traditions.

Honouring Sustainable Stewardship

Working in partnership with the Church, to ensure sustainable stewardship of College taonga enabling educational needs to be met for current and future generations of students.

Enhancing Strategic Governance

A skills-based governance team drawn from the three tikanga, who are connected with the College community, engage fully with the Kaitiaki, and who have strategic responsibility for the flourishing of the college.

• Te Pouhere
• General Synod Canons (esp Title E)
• He Whakaputanga / Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Principles of the Treaty
• Kaitiakitanga (Canon II E 3.12.8; Wai 262)
• Dean/Martin Review (2021)
• Relevant Legislation

May God grant, from that central reservoir we may pour forth streams of living water, to feed the sheep whom God has given to our care:

Let the Young be taught;

Let the Servants of Christ be trained for ministry;

Let the Books of the holy fathers be available for the learning of succeeding generations;

Let the Elders sit in council for the public good;

Let the Daily prayer and weekly communion happen;

Let the Hungry be fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed, and poor have the gospel preached unto them.

Drawn from Bishop George Augustus Selwyn’s sermon to Exeter Cathedral 1841. Selwyn was the first Bishop of these lands and founded the College in 1843.

We wanted to approach the redesign of our logo and brand as a College in a way that spoke to our whakapapa, our present, and our future.  

We were fortunate to work with Phila Lagaluga, a very experienced designer who aims to tell stories through a decolonised Māori/Pasifika lense, to proudly speak truth and acknowledge that Aotearoa is a nation built on many narratives, not just one mainstream story.  

His SixOneNine agency is a Māori and Pasifika-focused design agency committed to listening, hearing our clients and crafting that conversation into a creative solution. 

After a wānanga process, Phila aimed to design a logo that authentically embodied St Johns Theological College’s whakapapa and mission. The brand should convey a spirit of community, faith, and inclusivity while honoring the college’s heritage and traditions. 

He acknowledged ‘Tapu’ as the brand essence for St Johns Theological College, which thoughtfully incorporates the principles of Whakapapa, Community, Practice, and Taonga. ‘Tapu’ embodies the values of sacredness, peace, tranquility, community, belonging, dignity, and flourishing. 

He noted that “Tapu” transcends visual representation, embodying a profound emotional and spiritual essence that resonates deeply within individuals and communities. It is not merely a concept that can be captured through images or symbols; rather, it is an experiential reality that shapes interactions, influences behaviors, and fosters connections. 

He acknowledged our past and present visually, including the place of  shields and coats of arms, which conveys a sense of legacy, continuity, and respect for tradition, which can resonate deeply with audiences who value history and cultural heritage. 

By acknowledging and modernizing the new logo, Phila has allowed Hoani Tapu to maintain its historical and cultural significance. By keeping core elements intact, the connection to the organisation’s legacy and identity is preserved, fostering a sense of continuity and respect for tradition. This allows for a thoughtful evolution of the logo that can address current design trends and preferences without losing the essence of the original. This approach enables Hoani Tapu to refresh its visual identity while keeping its foundational elements, leading to a more relevant and appealing representation. 

The final version of the logo showcases several design enhancements. The shield is embossed, giving it a slightly metallic feel that adds depth and sophistication. A multilayered drop shadow creates a floating effect, adding a sense of dimension. He opted for a simple color palette featuring blues, silvers, and a hint of white, which keeps the design clean and elegant. The type for the name is rendered in a modern serif-style font, maintained in a flat and minimalist presentation to provide a striking contrast against the detailed shield logo.