
Summer Gathering
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 Coordinators.
The event is planned by the Summer Gathering Organising Committee whose members (usually) belong to the host Monthly Meeting.
Previous Summer Gatherings since 1956
- Previous Summer Gatherings since 1956
2024-25 El Rancho, Waikanae, Kāpiti
2023-24 Tirohanga Camp, Dunedin
2022-23 Marsden Bay Christian Camp, One Tree Point, Northland
2021-22 Online Summer Gathering (In person event was cancelled due to COVID)
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
2011/12 Chosen Valley Camp 3
2010/11 Ngaruawahia 3
2009/10 Te Aute College (Hawkes Bay)
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
Summer Gathering 2025-26
In 2025-26, Summer Gathering will be held at Chosen Valley in Ararimu, south of Auckland. Watch Events later in the year for further details.