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Chaplains Committee
The Chaplains' Committee was established in 1912 to provide spiritual support to the soldiers who joined a regiment and participated in Camp activities. With the outbreak of World War 1 their role and responsibilities grew as they had oversight of Presbyterian Chaplains assigned to overseas units and the Army Camps in New Zealand. After the war support continued to both Chaplains and soldiers who were recuperating from their experiences. The post war period saw them seeking a change in regulations that gave them a greater status and ability to work more closely with the Armed Forces authorities. Territorial training in New Zealand became an regular activity with a period each year where Chaplains went into Camp to over religious services.
The outbreak of World War Two meant that their work was extended and further Chaplaincies were formed with the Air Force and Navy as well as the Army. Their work continued after 1945 with the supply of chaplains for Immigration Ships, Territorial Camps and the increasing number of armed forces bases throughout New Zealand. Chaplains were sent to Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam.In 1960 the Committee changed its name to Chaplains to the Forces Committee to represent the wider support that was being carried out. In 1964 The General Assembly set up a special Committee to consider the options for the increasing areas of chaplaincy opportunities in other fields. Some recommendations were in time acted upon and in 1969 the Chaplancy Committee was thanked and discharged. It became a sub-Committee of the Ministry Committee along with other avenues of Chaplaincy work.
The outbreak of World War Two meant that their work was extended and further Chaplaincies were formed with the Air Force and Navy as well as the Army. Their work continued after 1945 with the supply of chaplains for Immigration Ships, Territorial Camps and the increasing number of armed forces bases throughout New Zealand. Chaplains were sent to Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam.In 1960 the Committee changed its name to Chaplains to the Forces Committee to represent the wider support that was being carried out. In 1964 The General Assembly set up a special Committee to consider the options for the increasing areas of chaplaincy opportunities in other fields. Some recommendations were in time acted upon and in 1969 the Chaplancy Committee was thanked and discharged. It became a sub-Committee of the Ministry Committee along with other avenues of Chaplaincy work.
Chaplains Committee. Presbyterian Research Centre, accessed 27/07/2026, https://pcanzarchives.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/120715
