Overseeing the growth of SCNZ and leading the team of Sports Chaplains in the Wellington & Tasman region is Wes Smith.


Wes brings a peaceful strength in his approach to leading this area. After living in Nelson for many years, Wes and the family moved to Wellington in 2022 and have settled at Otaki Beach - what a dream!

Wes is a huge football fan, and in his words “I am a HUGE fan of Newcastle United…I LOVE them.” - so his chaplaincy placement with the Wellington Saints is a new lane for him! When he’s not shaping SCNZ in his area, you’ll find Wes out in the ocean catching waves and riding tubes atop a surfboard.


To get in touch with Wes, click here.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​Wellington & Tasman Sports Chaplain Count: 20 

Stay up to date

Keep up to date with the latest news and events popping up around Canterbury! We love collecting Sports Chaplain stories - there's always something great to share! If you would like to stay in the loop with occasional regional newsletters sent directly to your inbox please click here!

2024 Trainings

Don't miss out on the opportunity to become a Sports Chaplain. Completing your training through our Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand training programme is mandatory and covers all foundational material needed to become an SCNZ accredited Sports Chaplain. This a blended learning experience with an online course covering 22 topics and 1 day in-person workshop. The online component takes approximately 20 hours to complete.

We have completed all training cohorts for 2024, however, if becoming a Sports Chaplain intrests you, or you would like more information get in touch!

Workshops - absolute highlights!

In 2023, we had five groups of new chaplains train and each brought their own flare, personality, and faith background. We really value coming together in fellowship for Stronger Together meetings, and workshops, as we learn so much about our new team mates, and hear more about their cultures and backgrounds.

Our workshops are a great way to connect personally and learn through discussion and scenarios.

SCNZ Facebook

We have a national Facebook page where there are posts about what we are up to as an organisation, updates on all regions around New Zealand, inspirational material, and details around training and workshops.

This page is for everyone - please don't hesitiate to click that follow button! Our national SCNZ page here.

Wellbeing Support

We believe that wellness is about our whole being - mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, and physical.

Our commitment goes beyond offering resources; we want to help sports communities become supportive environments where individuals can find help, encouragement, and practical strategies to navigate life's challenges. 

National Wellbeing Resources
Listed on our wellbeing support page are a collection of resources tailored to support you.

All around New Zealand are services and resources that can help in your time of need. Join us in prioritising wellbeing in Aotearoa and fostering resilience within the sports community.

Browse our wellbeing resources by clicking the button to the left.

 

​​Regional Mental Wellbeing Support

Yellow Brick Road

Supporting families towards mental wellbeing. Regional services available.

0800 555 434

Tu Ora

Support across the Wellington, Porirua, Wairarapa and Kāpiti areas.

(04) 801 7808

​​Regional Grief Support

Wellington Counselling

Providing counselling services for adults and couples.

027 659 4450

Loss & Grief Centre Kapati

Support for grappling with the impact of loss and grief.

027 355 7947​​​​​​

​​​​​​​Regional Suicide Support​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

1737

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Need to talk? 24/7 free call or text a trained counsellor 1737 any time.

1737

Youthline

Here for you. Free 24/7 youth helpline, confidential and safe.

0800 376 633

​​Regional Abuse Support

Women's Refuge Wellington/Tasman

Support around domestic violence and help in a crisis.

04 297 2595

Men and Trauma New Zealand

Dealing to difficulties facing Kiwi men. Trauma recovery.

0800 63 62 63

Other SCNZ Leaders in the region


Michaela hails from the deep south, and has moved to Wellington to enjoy more of the same average weather.

She is in charge of all internal and external communications, implementing communications strategies, maintaining the SCNZ brand, keeping the website updated, and creating all socials.

Growing up, Michaela played rugby, raced BMX, and did figure skating. Sport (in particular BMX) was family time - Michaela and her two brothers all raced, and this took them all across New Zealand. If she’s not designing, Michaela is baking, watching NFL (up the Eagles), playing her fiddle, or up the mountain snowboarding.​​​​​​​





Some of our Sporting Partners in the Lower North Island

National Newsletter

We write and release newsletters throughout the year that tell our success stories, update our supporters on what we've been up to, and hopefully encourage readers in life and their own journey!

Consider donating.

Sports Chaplaincy New Zealand is a registered charity solely reliant on donations for its funding.