Our Story
The New Zealand Healthcare Chaplains' Association (NZHCA) is the peak professional body supporting healthcare chaplains, chaplaincy assistants and spiritual care practitioners throughout New Zealand's health sector. Established in 1966, the NZHCA promotes the spiritual well-being of patients, their families, whānau, and healthcare staff.
We achieve this by encouraging excellence in chaplaincy through providing professional development, credentialing and best practice guidance. Our core values include compassion, integrity, and partnership and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the rich diversity of New Zealand's communities. We advocate for the crucial role of spiritual care in health policy and practice. Members benefit from professional development, peer support, and a collective voice in national and international arenas. As we approach our 60th anniversary, the NZHCA is dedicated to a forward-thinking and cross-sector approach that recognises all faith traditions and belief systems, ensuring appropriate spiritual support is available to all who need it.
Celebrating 60 years of NZHCA
As the longest-standing chaplaincy organisation in New Zealand, the New Zealand Healthcare Chaplains Association (NZHCA) is delighted to celebrate a significant milestone in 2026 — our 60th year of service.
For six decades, NZHCA has supported healthcare chaplains across Aotearoa, walking alongside patients, whānau, and staff in times of vulnerability, hope, and healing. This anniversary is an opportunity to honour our shared history, give thanks for those who have shaped our journey, and look ahead with renewed vision.
In March, we will host a special Zoom gathering for past and present members. This will be a time to reconnect, reflect, and share stories of NZHCA through the years.
We warmly invite anyone who has photographs, memories, or stories from past NZHCA events to email them to us. If you would like to contribute or share something during the celebration, please get in touch — we would love to hear from you.
Further details about this special anniversary event will be shared soon.
We look forward to celebrating 60 years of faithful service together.
(New Zealand Hospital Chaplains' Association: Photographs. 1972, 1974. New Zealand Hospital Chaplains Association: Records. Ref: PAColl-8748. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand)
Joining NZHCA means embracing its mission and values. Members must follow our Code of Ethics and Code of Practice. This ensures ethical conduct and quality spiritual care for everyone.
This Code of Ethics is based on the Association’s values as follows:
Respect for the dignity and worth of all persons - At all times our members will show by their words and actions respect for the dignity and worth of all persons; recognising the value of each individual; and acting at all times with integrity towards God, self and others.
Compassion - Our members will respond compassionately to all persons in need, with particular attention to spiritual needs, and act in ways that will right injustices and restore right relationships, wherever possible.
Vocation - Our members recognise chaplaincy as a sacred work of willing service involving obedience and accountability to God and others. Self-development and self-care are priorities to equip oneself for service to others.
Goodwill - Our members work for the good of others to strengthen and empower individuals and where appropriate to provide comfort and consolation.
Collegiality - Our members strive to maintain positive working relationships within chaplaincy teams; participate actively within multidisciplinary clinical teams; and maintain collegial relationships with their denominational peers.