Esther Koh
Christian Today New Zealand commenced on 13 February 2017 – each day there is a young writer article (1), one original 2012 young writer from Christian Today Australia (2) and a feature article published in both Christian Today Australia and Christian Today New Zealand (3).
Today, six months into the program we are able to state that much progress has been enjoyed in establishing Christian Today New Zealand.
We are delighted to report seven Kiwi young writers have registered for the 2017 annual young writer conference Saturday 12 August on the Sunshine Coast - at Alexandra Park Conference Centre, Alexandra Headland.
The series of 1 minute videos of the young writer conferences in both New Zealand and Australia can be found on the Awards page.
Emma McGeorge of MAF PNG
These first six months has seen some major developments in the Christian Today New Zealand program.
Irenie How
Kiwi young writer editor Irenie How from Christchurch undertook tuition in Sydney on uploading to the Christian Today platform. Irenie was then able to attend 'One Day in Melbourne' on Saturday 3 June meeting with the other young writer week editors.
Irenie How co-ordinates the Kiwi young writer program, designates the publishing dates for the young writers over the 5 week Cycle and then uploads each of the articles to the CTNZ platform.
Change to 5 week Cycles
A month ago the Christian Today New Zealand program was increased from 4 weeks to 5 weeks. This was a major development as it aligned the CTNZ schedules to the Christian Today Australia 5 week program.
This one structural move has been bountifully helpful in running both the CTNZ and CT Aust programs, as being aligned has made it much easier for both programs and those who are on the ground, not least Christian Today itself.
Three champions
Esther Koh, Sabrina Meyer and Michele Ong share the ministry role of sending out each day the published Kiwi young writer to NZ Christian media inviting them to republish their articles.
Many NZ Christian media publications – online and hard copy- have taken up this offer to the delight of the Kiwi young writers. The most recent was Rachel Bartlett being republished in the Canterbury Anglican media.
NZ Panellist Bishop Brian Carrell
Panellists
The New Zealand young writer program Panellists have now completed their marking having seen marked 5 cycles so as to determine the 2017 New Zealand awards.
Current 2017 Panellists
Bishop Brian Carrell
Liz Hay
Christina Tyson
Emma Seabrook
Sophia Sinclair
Moreover Christina Tyson has worked through the marks to determine from the panellists' markings, the title of each young writer's “best article”. This list has been sent to Australia for the “Best Article” certificates to be printed along plaques for the the major winners.
Senior writers
There are three senior writers in the program, Panellists Christina Tyson and Liz Hay along with Auckland's Rev Grant Harris.
The idea is to provide the young writers senior support and this is working well.
New Zealand Basil Sellers Awards
Previous winners
2017 …….
2016 - Matt Browning and Kara Greening
2015 - Sophia Sinclair and Jeremy Suisted
2014 - Casey Murray
2013 - Daniel Jang
2nd place
2013 - Casey Murray, Sophia Sinclair
2014 - Sophia Sinclair
2015 - Tim Newman, Brad Mills
2016 - Tim Newman
2017 …....
Theology Award
2013 - Sam Burrows
2014 - Jeremy Suisted
2015 - Andrew Sinclair
2016 - Tim Shallard
This has been a remarkable 5 year journey and Kiwi young people between the ages of 18-30 are invited to become young writers with Christian Today New Zealand – connect with Dr Mark Tronson timeout@bushorchestra.com
Matthew Joils
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at