Our Leaders

Ven. Mel McKenzie

Priest in Charge

Mel has a wealth of experience as a priest and also as a lay leader, having spent time leading almost every ministry a church can hold (sometimes simultaneously). Alongside her husband Tim (vicar of our neighbouring St Michael’s Kelburn), she helps lead about 20 young adults in the Community of the Transfiguration.

Mel splits her time between St Anne’s Northland and Victoria University Chaplaincy where she is the Supervising Chaplain. Mel is also an Archdeacon for the Diocese of Wellington.

When she gets down time you’ll probably find her driving one of her three school-aged kids to their various extracirricular activities, gardening, or if she’s very lucky she’ll be hiking somewhere with a wonderful view.

Rev. Jessie Thornton-Black

Assistant Priest

Although she thought she was going to be a lawyer or public servant, a few years after graduating the call to church ministry led her to quit her job and start part-time theological study alongside working at the chaplaincy at Victoria University. Jessie was priested in November 2023, just before starting at St Anne’s in Februrary 2024.

Jessie has seen first-hand the impact intentional community can have on a church congregation to strengthen both community reach and spiritual practices. She fully believes that our lives are better when shared with others and is always up for a coffee or a walk to chat.

Jessie lives with her husband, Hamish, their son Leo, and other St Anne’s members in the vicarage as a part of the St Anne’s Northland Parish Community.

OUR VESTRY

Our Vestry members are elected at our AGM and serve for a two-year term. They work to lead the church with good governance and spiritual oversight.

From left to right: Mary Cordery (synod representative), Sam Cooper (Bishop’s warden), Sophie Carwford, Elizabeth Newman, Nick Dawbin, Carolyn Cordery (treasurer), Polly Dacre-Curtis and Barbara Murray (people’s warden).

Safety & Complaints

If you have safety concerns about St Anne’s, you can reach out to one of our Priests or Wardens. If you would rather express your concerns to someone external, you can contact safety@anglicanmovement.nz