Summer Gatherings

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