Esther Koh, Wellington
Christian Today New Zealand (CTNZ) commenced in February 2017 – a full year ago, and it has come a full year with a smooth entry into the international market place of Christian media.
Irenie How the CTNZ coordinator and editor selects one fresh young writer article each day, then an original 2012-15 Kiwi young writer from Christian Today Australia and third, a feature article published in both Christian Today Australia and Christian Today New Zealand.
In other words there are three articles each day. CTNZ is well and truly established.
The Kiwi young writers have been regular attendees at the annual young writer conferences in both New Zealand and Australia can be found on the Awards page.
The 2018 young writer conference is being held on Saturday 1 September in Christchurch.
Jared Diprose, Auckland
One year on with CTNZ - we can attest the following -
Irenie How
Kiwi young writer editor Irenie How from Christchurch undertook tuition in Sydney last February 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
Mid year 2017 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.
2018 - Three champions
In 2018 Esther Koh, Sabrina Meyer and Amy Ching 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. A recent one was Rachel Bartlett being republished in the Canterbury Anglican media.
Kiwi young writers 2018 development
Throughout 2018 the Kiwi young writers are working toward establishing their own legal entity. The official hand over is at the conference on Saturday 1 September in Christchurch. Two additional young writers have joined the team Mel Cleary (Wellington) and Rebekah Lamorena (Auckland).
Jessica McPherson, Christchurch
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
Wayne Graham
Sarah Richards
Sophia Sinclair
Moreover Ron and Liz Hay collate the marks to determine from the panellists' markings, the title of each young writer's “best article”.
Senior writers
There are four senior writers in the program, Panellists Liz Hay, Wayne Graham and Auckland's Rev Grant Harris and Daniel Jang the 2013 NZ Basil Sellers winner.
The idea is to provide the young writers senior support and this is working well.
Irenie How, Christchurch
New Zealand Basil Sellers Awards
Previous winners
2017 - Emma McGeorge
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 - Irenie How
Theology Award
2013 - Sam Burrows
2014 - Jeremy Suisted
2015 - Andrew Sinclair
2016 - Tim Shallard
2017 - Matthew Joils
This has been a remarkable 6 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
Wayne Graham, NZ Panellist and senior writer
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