Tikanga Haumaru - Safechurch / Safeguarding

Both individually and collectively. We have a responsibility to ensure.

That every person has a value and dignity from his/her creation in the image and likeness of God

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP STEVE LOWE

Rome Safeguarding Dialogues advance efforts to protect minors and end abuse

Pope Leo XIV meets with safeguarding advocates, survivors, and Church leaders during the Rome Safeguarding Dialogues, reaffirming the Church's commitment to listening to those affected by abuse and strengthening protections for minors and all vulnerable persons.

The gathering highlighted the importance of survivor-centred approaches, accountability, and global collaboration in building a safer Church for all.

SAFEGUARDING WORKSHOPS

Only THREE workshops remain for 2026

register your spot now.

Please contact Lisa-May Gray to register and to request the ONLINE Microsoft Teams link. Please note that due to popular demand ONLINE workshops registration may close early.

For further information please contact:

Lisa-May Gray

Safeguarding Coordinator

09 360 3019

[email protected]

FURTHER SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION

Complaints and Concerns

Contact numbers and Support services available if required.

What to do if you receive a call or visit about abuse or harm:

Complaint's Process :

International Safeguarding Conference

Safeguarding Policies

A National Safeguarding Framework – Working Together for a Safe Church has been developed and released by NOPS and the Auckland Diocese, along with the Dioceses of NZ will be implementing these national policies and procedures. The National Framework comprises of the following polices:

The Safeguarding Policy is the overarching policy which explains our national principles of safeguarding, our commitment to keeping our children, youth and vulnerable adults safe, and provides definitions of various forms of harm.

Key areas of safeguarding are responding appropriately to concerns of complaints of harm, ensuring we have safe recruitment practices in place, and that our people are supported to work safely with children, youth and vulnerable adults. On that basis, the Concerns & Complaints Policy and the Safe Recruitment & Training Policy have been developed.

You can view and download volunteer task descriptions and risk assessments on the resources section on this page. You can read about Safeguarding workshops and Volunteer training, and watch a short video, on the volunteer workshops section of this page.

Safeguarding Policy Translation

Tongan Version : Download Here

Filipino Version : Download Here

New Volunteers

NEW VOLUNTEERS

SAFEGUARDING INDUCTION VIDEO

View the Safeguarding Induction video HERE.

Whilst we welcome new volunteers to our Diocese, we also have a responsibility to ensure that all persons who volunteer are of good character. As part of our mission, it is our responsibility to safety check all new volunteers who join us. Safety checking processes include criminal check relevant to the ministry, short interview, referee checking and the volunteer reading, understanding and signing the Code of Conduct and Volunteer Agreement.

SAFEGUARDING ORIENTATION PROCESS HERE

SAFEGUARDING SAFETY CHECKING

Safety Checking for Volunteers.

Please note the Police vetting Service criteria has changed significantly.

Please refer to Guidelines and Safety checking criteria table.

These lists are not exclusive and any volunteers working in a position where a duty of care is being exercised needs to be safety checked, either through the Police vetting service or the Ministry of Justice.

The Police Vetting & Consent Form can be downloaded

MOJ information

Referee response form, for use when contacting referees.

For further information or assistance about our Safeguarding program within the Diocese, please contact:

Safeguarding Coordinator, Lisa-May Gray

Phone: 09 360 3019 or email: [email protected]

Code of Conduct

The Safeguarding Framework also includes a Code of Conduct for Employees & Volunteers. This document replaces the current “Standards for Volunteers & Employees in Ministry” and will be signed by all employees and volunteers when they start their role. The Code of Conduct can be viewed and downloaded below:

Safeguarding Processes

SAFEGUARDING PROCESSES

There is an expectation that those who volunteer within their parish or faith community alongside children, youth and vulnerable adults complete the Safeguarding processes of Safeguarding training, Safety Checking and read, understand and sign the Code of Conduct. With Core Safeguarding practices to support safe ministry.

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING

Find further information regarding Safeguarding training on the at the bottom Safeguarding page.

Safety Checking for Volunteers.

Please note the Police vetting Service criteria has changed significantly. Please see guidelines here.

Despite these changes, our Diocese’s aim is to have all Priests and volunteers working with children, youth and vulnerable adults' safety checked. Either by the Police Vetting service or through Ministry of Justice checks. Volunteers in the following positions will require a police vet, undergo Safeguarding training and reference checked before being able to undertake this role:

Altar Server Trainers
Catechists – Sacramental Program Coordinator/Leader
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Choir Leaders – where children are included in the general choir and for children’s choir
Crèche helpers
Parent Helpers / Chaperons on camps
Prison ministry teams and visitors
Sunday School Teachers
Youth Ministry Leaders

For other ministries that are not on the list above. We encourage parishes to arrange a Ministry of Justice check. Examples below.

Spiritual Director
Prayer Minister
Bereavement Minister
Parish Secretary at recruitment stage
Parish Counter
Visitation Ministry eg. Legion of Mary, SVdP
Complaints and Concerns Person
Local Safeguarding Contact
Musician Leader
Food Parcel Delivery - SVdP

The Police Vetting & Consent Form can be downloaded HERE.

For further information or assistance about our Safeguarding program within the Diocese, please contact:

Safeguarding Coordinator, Lisa-May Gray

Phone: 09 360 3019 or email: [email protected]

Code of Conduct

Safeguarding Training

Watch this video: an invitation from Bishop Steve to attend safeguarding seminars.

https://youtu.be/oSOSIjJ-Zn8