Following our update on 13 December 2023: The sale of our college, this is an update on the successful purchase of something new, from Chris Berry,  Executive Director at Carey Baptist College.

On 5 August 2024 Carey Baptist College, the Baptist Union of New Zealand (Baptist National Support Centre), Arotahi and the Northern Baptist Association purchased a new property at 1-7 Marewa Rd, Greenlane, Auckland.

The property is a 6,300 sqm site in the Greenlane town centre. The building comprises a ground floor plus two levels with each floor about 1,250 sqm (total of 3,748 sqm) and 126 carparks. This new property is 2.2km closer to the city centre than the current campus and is situated right next to the Greenlane motorway interchange, train station and is near multiple bus routes. Cornwall Park and Maungakiekie are 750m away.

For some years, Carey Baptist College has been exploring how it might invest in property so as to generate significant new income streams, and ensure a fit-for-purpose modern campus that meets the needs of students across Aotearoa, many of whom are now learning through online platforms.

It was agreed that it was in the best interests of Carey, the Baptist National Support Centre, Arotahi, and the Northern Baptist Association, who are all located at the current site, to remain co-located on the same site, enabling stronger relationship, clearer communication, and better stewardship of their collective resources. These Baptist entities are co-investors in this new property.

Settlement will be on 3 February 2025. All of the entities will remain at the current site until the end of 2025 in order to fit-out the new premises.

John Tucker, Carey’s Principal, explains the rationale for this move:

“For nearly 100 years, Carey has served the church of New Zealand by training leaders for ministry and mission. Over the last few years, we’ve seen massive changes in the way churches access Carey’s ministry training and theological formation. We’ve also witnessed the ongoing secularisation of New Zealand, with major implications for the funding of a college like Carey. This new campus will both provide our students with a modern, flexible learning environment, while also potentially generating significant future funding for Carey. We’re very excited about this new facility and look forward to moving into our new home in the very year that we celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness since the establishment of Carey Baptist College.”

Rob Robson, Assembly Council Chair:

“I am delighted that Carey has found such a good and flexible site for itself, which also strengthens its finances.  It’s a win win for Carey and for the wider Baptist movement that it serves.”

Clayton Kimpton, Chair, Northern Baptist Association:

“The Northern Baptist Association exists for the purpose of extending and resourcing the activities of the denomination in our region on behalf of the Union – for us this is from Waiuku in the south to Doubtless Bay in the north, where we have nearly one hundred churches. This new property in Greenlane will suit the needs of our staff in terms of offices, resources and cross-entity relationships, as well as from an investment perspective. We are glad to be part of this with Carey, Arotahi and the National Support Centre.”

Donations welcome

A relocation and investment project of this size could be enhanced with financial support from within the Baptist family of churches. If you would like to explore how you might invest or contribute, or if you have any questions about this project, please email Chris Berry: [email protected] or phone +64 9 525 4017.