Summer Gatherings
Summer Gathering is an annual residential camp held from December to January, with the location being moved around the country each year to minimise travel costs. With the exception 2021-22 when it was cancelled because of Covid concerns, Summer Gathering has been held each year since 1956.
Friends of all ages from all over New Zealand (and some very welcome overseas visitors) join in a holiday atmosphere for relaxation and recreation. The emphasis is on community building. There are usually some formal discussions or visiting speakers, and there are regular meetings for worship with abundant opportunities to share experiences, often while working together washing dishes, or chopping vegetables! The programme encourages Friends to get to know each other better - such as through creative activities, all age games, and a diversity of interest groups.
The locations of future Gatherings are planned by the Yearly Meeting/Summer Gathering Coordinator/s.
The event is planned by the Summer Gathering Arrangements Committee whose members (usually) belong to the host Monthly Meeting.
Summer Gathering 2024-25
El Rancho, Waikanae Beach, Kāpiti
Previous Summer Gatherings since 1956
- 2023-24 Tirohanga Camp, Dunedin
- 2022-23 Marsden Bay Christian Camp, One Tree Point, Northland
- 2021-22 'In person' Summer Gathering was cancelled due to COVID, and instead an event was held online
- 2020-21 El Rancho, Waikanae Beach, Kāpiti
- 2019-20 Wainui Heights YMCA, Akaroa Harbour, Christchurch
- 2018-19 Vertical Horizon, Inglewood, Taranaki
- 2017/18 Ngamuwahine Lodge
- 2016/17 Vertical Horizon, Inglewood (Taranaki)
- 2015/16 Teapot Valley 3 (Nelson)
- 2014/15 Chosen Valley Camp 4
- 2013/14 Wairarapa College
- 2012/13 Camp Columba (Gore)
- 2011/12 Chosen Valley Camp 3
- 2010/11 Ngaruawahia 3
- 2009/10 Te Aute College (Hawkes Bay)
- 2008/09 Blue Skies (Kaiapoi) 2
- 2007/08 Chosen Valley Camp 2
- 2006/07 Silverstream Retreat, Upper Hutt
- 2005/06 Waipiata, near Ranfurly, Central Otago
- 2004/05 Ngaruawahia 2
- 2003/04 Nga Tawa 3 (Marton)
- 2002/03 Glentui Meadows 2, Canterbury
- 2001/02 Chosen Valley Camp, Drury, Auckland
- 2000/01 Nga Tawa 2 (Marton)
- 1999/00 Teapot Valley 2 (Nelson)
- 1998/99 St Stephens (Auckland) -SG/YM
- 1997/98 Paraparaumu
- 1996/97 Ngaruawahia
- 1995/96 Blue Skies (Kaiapoi)
- 1994/95 Whanganui
- 1993/94 Feilding Agricultural High School 2 -SG/YM
- 1992/93 Teapot Valley 1 (Nelson)
- 1991/92 Kiwi Ranch (Upper Hutt)
- 1990/91 Riverbend (Hawkes Bay)
- 1989/90 Waipara 2
- 1988/89 Carey Park 2 (Henderson) -SG/YM
- 1987/88 Feilding Agricultural High School 1 -SG/YM
- 1986/87 St Kevins 2 (Oamaru) -SG/YM
- 1985/86 Methven
- 1984/85 Inglewood
- 1983/84 Rotorua
- 1982/83 Waipara 1
- 1981/82 Te Karaka
- 1980/81 Hata Paora (Feilding)
- 1979/80 St Kevins 1 (Oamaru)
- 1978/79 Nga Tawa (Marton)
- 1977/78 Greytown
- 1976/77 Cheviot
- 1975/76 Carey Park (Henderson)
- 1974/75 Eltham
- 1973/74 Roxburgh 2
- 1972/73 Taurewa 2
- 1971/72 Otaki Bridge
- 1970/71 Glen Tui 1 (Canterbury)
- 1969/70 Epworth(Karapiro)
- 1968/69 Roxburgh 1
- 1967/68 Taurewa 1
- 1966/67 Quail Valley(Nelson)
- 1965/66 Palmerston (Otago)
- 1964/65 Eastern Beach
- 1963/64 Friends School
- 1962/63 Mahoenui
- 1961/62 Reikorangi
- 1960/61 Unknown
- 1959/60 Friends School
- 1958/59 Motukarara
- 1957/58 Henderson
- 1956/57 Rissington