John Bluck is a writer and broadcaster with a lifetime of working on issues of theology and culture.

His new book picks up the themes of his 2022 book Becoming Pākehā, but set in the new context created by the Treaty Principles Bill, and exploring how we might become a more effective and informed partner in that debate. It also offers a deeper look at the richness of our Pākehā cultural and religious history that John first covered in a RNZ series several years ago.

Earlier books include The Giveaway God – ecumenical Bible studies, Wai Karekare: turbulent waters, Hidden Country: Having faith in Aotearoa, Killing us Softly: Challenging the Kiwi culture of complaint, Taranaki’s cathedral,  Waking up in strange places: where do New Zealanders belong?, Long, white and cloudy – exploring Kiwi spirituality and Seeking the Centre: living well in Aotearoa are all available for loan from the John Kinder Library at St John’s College in Auckland. The library also holds a range of much earlier titles on the ecumenical movement and mass media.

A retired Anglican bishop and former Dean of Christchurch Cathedral before it fell down in an earthquake, John has worked ecumenically all round New Zealand and overseas, including terms  as Communication Director for the World Council of Churches in Geneva, editor of the NZ Methodist newspaper New Citizen, professor of pastoral theology and communication at Knox Theological Hall, Dunedin and staff writer for the Boston Catholic newspaper The Pilot.

He lives with his wife Liz in Pakiri, north of Auckland, where he writes, gardens, tries to catch fish and play the trumpet.

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