The Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand (WMCNZ) has grown out of a revival movement that has historically given itself one mission – the spreading of Scriptural holiness throughout the nation. This message that ignited the Wesleyan revival in the 18th century in England was the announcement that God through Christ can forgive the sin which destroys us and release and reshape God's nature in us by His Holy Spirit. This new life brought about profound personal and social transformation.

The Wesleyan Methodist Church shares the dynamic orthodox Christian faith together with certain distinctive emphases. It encourages people to move toward maturity in discipleship, described by John Wesley as "Scriptural Holiness". This includes an assurance and certainty of salvation and commitment to continuing personal and social transformation. We believe in the priesthood of all believers as stated in Scripture and recognises that God calls each person to tasks and gifts of ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit. The call of God upon some may lead the Church to set them aside for specific responsibilities. Some are called to the Ministry of Word, Sacraments and Pastoral Care and the Church recognises this by ordination and the laying-on of hands and prayer for the anointing and blessing of the Holy Spirit. Others are called to various ministries that the Church recognises appropriately.

The Wesleyan Methodist Church recognises the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion and encourages all partners to seek to worship together on the Lord's day.

We are a multi-racial Church family which delights in the variety of cultures and languages God has given us. When we gather together annually we celebrate the vibrancy of our faith in Jesus Christ through varied cultural expression. We believe that multi-cultural New Zealand will only be effectively evangelised by a multi-cultural mission.

We are a mission-minded movement which places local churches at the heart of mission in their contexts. Our movement is a “connexion” (a connection with the cross at the centre) encouraging one another to love God with all our heart, mind, soul & strength. Our network of local churches is joined together by common beliefs, shared vision and values, and accountable practices. Our national leaders are called to equip and empower local congregations for local, national and international mission.

All persons are welcomed into partnership with the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand who express their faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, seek to live a holy life in accordance with the Scriptures and want to share in the mission and responsibilities of being the people of God in their community through their local congregation.

Our place in the Body of Christ

The Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand claims and cherishes its place in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church promised by God in the Scriptures, birthed in history through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord, and empowered by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

We rejoice in the inheritance of the Apostolic Faith and loyally accept the principles of the historic creeds and the Protestant Reformation. So we treasure the heritage of the Church through the ages and recognise that in the Providence of God Methodism was raised up to spread Scriptural Holiness through the land by the proclamation of the evangelical faith and we declare an unfaltering resolve to be true to its divinely appointed mission.

Our churches

Wesleyan Methodist churches can currently be found from Whangarei to Dunedin. Worship services are held in English, Fijian, Rotuman and Tongan with several churches using multiple languages in their worship.