About Kaimai Presbytery

I am a retired School Principal, living in Tauranga with my wife Judith. We have three adult children and six grandchildren. Our whanau lives in London, Auckland, and Lake Hawea. I was born in Gore and am a loyal Southlander. I have been on the Presbytery Council since 2019 and am currently Moderator. My main contribution has been in leading Ministry Settlement Boards in the  Presbytery.  Favourite Scripture: Phil 3:13-14. “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling us.”  Why? When I was Principal of Bethlehem College, I was given a baton with this scripture on it … to run the race and then pass the baton on. It’s a great way to depict that which God calls us to, at any stage of our lives. Heb 12:1 says “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”

I’m Graham Robertson, a member of the Te Aroha Cooperating Parish, and I currently serve as the Convenor of the Presbytery Property Committee. I’m the first point of contact for any property-related matters within the Presbytery. A verse that has deeply shaped my faith over the years is Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” When I was a teenager, my minister encouraged us to hold on to this verse above all others. It’s stayed with me ever since and, to this day, I believe it truly sums up what Christianity is all about.

My name is Julianne Managh. I am employed by the Kaimai Presbytery as Children’s, Youth, and Families ministry coach for the Kaimai region. My job is to build supportive relationships and networks, equip leaders, create a learning cohort, and implement best practices in Children’s and youth ministry. I am also employed part-time by Bethlehem Community Church in Tauranga as the Children’s Families Pastor. I was previously the Youth and Children’s families pastor at St Paul’s in Katikati, and my background is in accounting. I have been married for 34 years and have two daughters, 21 and 11years old. I like going for walks with our two dogs, spending time with my daughters. gardening and painting art. I am continually reminded that we are but servants of our amazing God, that he can do so much more than what we can imagine, all we must do is be obedient to what he asks of us. Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

I am Lynne Robertson, and I’m an elder from Te Puke. I have been part of the Kaimai Presbytery Council since 2020 and enjoy seeing the wider body of Christ at work, which can be missed at the parish level. The scripture passage that is speaking to me the most at the moment is Proverbs 4 20-23: “ …pay attention to what I say, turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” It speaks to me about the heart being precious, and even in the storms, protecting that inner space allows the Holy Spirit to do His work and bring peace and joy. One day, I hope to get close to having this skill, and life seems to give plenty of training opportunities, doesn’t it?

My name is Neville Watkins, and I bring over 40 years of accounting experience to my role as Treasurer for the Kaimai Presbytery. Since 2013, I’ve been running my own practice, Accountants@Crest, based in Tauranga, where I specialise in Charities Reporting using Xero accounting software. In addition to my work with the Presbytery, I manage the year-end reporting for: 28 charitable entities (Tier 3 & Tier 4), including 14 Presbyterian churches or related groups, 6 independent churches, 3 tennis clubs or associations, and 1 pre-school. 15 of these also rely on me for monthly reporting and payroll services. I also support 13 small businesses and 30 individuals with their tax and financial reporting needs. It’s a privilege to serve the Presbytery in this way and to use my skills to support the work of churches and community organisations across the region.

Kia Ora my name is Philipp Potgieter. I am the minister of St James in Greerton and St Paul’s in Papamoa. I serve on the Presbytery Council and hope to make a difference, however small it may be. I lean into Isaiah 46:4 a lot. “I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is grey. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you.” I find so much comfort in knowing God will never leave me, no matter what.

I’m Rev Enosa Auva’a, Senior Minister at St Peter’s in the City, Tauranga. I am an ordained Presbyterian minister with the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and a member of the Kaimai Presbytery. I trained at Knox Theological College in Dunedin, completing a Diploma in Ministry and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Theology. Before entering ministry, I served as a Primary School Principal and hold a Master of Educational Leadership and Management.  I am originally from Samoa and carry the Matai titles Unasa, Tupuola, and Auva’a. I enjoy conversations about Church, Hope, Faith, and Culture. One of my favourite Bible passages is Psalm 1, especially verse 3 (NIV): “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”

Kia ora, my name is Rev Jono Lange. I am the minister of Tīrau Community Church and the newest member of Kaimai Presbytery Council. Prior to ordained ministry I was a teacher, a systems administrator, and a community chaplain. I live in the Waikato with my better half Emily, our two young people, and our pets Sabine, Kenobi, and Pixel. I once wrote a four thousand word essay on Colossians 2:9 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” In sum, if you want to know God, get to know Christ.

I am Rika van der Linde, the Kaimai Administrator. I grew up in South Africa and moved here in 2010, and became a citizen of this beautiful country in 2019.  My church home is St Andrew’s Matamata, where I serve as one of the Praise and Worship Team leaders. Music has always been close to my heart. I teach Music Appreciation at Matamata Christian School on Tuesdays and also tutor students from home, many of whom are children with learning difficulties. It is a joy to see how music can lift spirits, build confidence, and bring joy to young people. I also enjoy my administration role, where I have the privilege of connecting with people from across our Presbytery and supporting the life and ministry of our churches. Psalm 139 is one of my favourite passages. The whole Psalm speaks deeply to me, but verses 7–8 (NIV) especially stand out: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”  These verses remind me that no matter how uncertain or turbulent life feels, we are never outside of God’s reach.

I’m Sandra Warner, the minister of St Columba Church in Otumoetai, Tauranga. I have served on the Presbytery Council for about 8 years as the Convenor of the Candidates Committee. If you have any questions National or Local ordained ministry, please contact me. My favourite scripture is John 15:4 because it reminds me that my life is dependent upon Jesus. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me”

Kia ora, I am Vanya Wallis and I am the Executive Officer for the Kaimai Presbytery. My role is to serve the churches in our Presbytery by leading the implementation of our strategic plan and providing management support for the people and practices that will strengthen our congregations in their worship, life and mission. I am passionate about empowering our people and intentionally developing our leaders. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to participate in God’s work to bless our region. My hope is that as Christ’s disciples, we will all use whatever gifts we have received to serve one another so the whole Presbytery is built up to the glory of God. I trust that in God’s grace, with resourcing, connection, and care our churches can become like the kaimai bush – richly varied yet inter-dependent, fruitful and beautiful. One of my favourite verses at the moment is “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).