All staff can be contacted on (04) 476 8978
John Hughes - Vicar
JOHN HUGHES has been Vicar of Karori Anglican Churches since 1999. He came to New Zealand from South Africa where he held different ministry positions (rural, urban and inner city). He is married to Janet, who works alongside him in ministry, and they have two adult children.
He says, "I am passionate about raising up leaders, working with a team and helping a church grow in maturity. If I took a course on telling really good jokes I am sure I would fail it! (his staff agree...) I also have a great fondness for chocolate ...
John currently has three books on the go; "The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changeing World" by Alan Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk, "Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ in an Everyday Life" by Eugene Peterson and a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a theologian and participant in the German resistance movement.
John is reponsible for leadership and discipleship within the parish; leads Impact, the Primary age Sunday School programme; and is involved with New Wine.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ben Johnson-Frow - Assistant Priest
Ben Johnson-Frow has been on staff since 2009. He is a singer/songwriter and worship leader who released two albums before joining Karori Anglican churches.
Ben is primarily responsible for worship in the parish and co-leads the 10.30am service community. As assistant minister he also gets around a bit - doing music, games and stories at playgroup, worship leading and preaching at Vive and midweek services, and hanging out and mentoring at boys club.
Ben is continuing his studies through Laidlaw College with a post-graduate diploma. He is married to Teri who is ordained as a deacon, and together they have two kids, Jakob and Breanna.
If you are interested in finding out more about the worship ministry at Karori Anglican Churches or getting involved, contact Ben at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Catherine Froud - Children and Families' Minister
Catherine Froud took on the role of Children and Families’ Minister (part time) in January 2011. She is passionate about connecting with the community and affirming people so they sense God’s love touching them.
Catherine’s week starts with a hiss and a roar on Monday morning with playgroup (friendship, fun, and food for under fives and their parents /caregivers). On Thursday mornings she can be found cuddling babies and providing love and support to their parents at “Under one-ders”, a coffee group for parents of new babies.
Catherine also runs the Friday afternoon Girls Club for girls aged 9-13, provides pastoral care to local families and leads the intermediate age Sunday School programme, Crossfire.
Catherine has been accepted for ordination to the priesthood and is working toward a Diploma in Biblical Studies with Laidlaw College. She lives in Karori with her husband Jeff, her son Hugo, her mother Patricia and two rambunctious black Labradors. Her daughter Isobel makes occasional much anticipated visits from London.
If you are interested in finding out more about playgroup, Girl’s Club or Under one-ders, contact Catherine at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
David Jones - Priest Assistant
As a Priest Assistant, David Jones has regularly officiates at services at St Mary’s, St Mathias and Sprott House.
David is a long-term Karori resident who has been involved with Karori Anglican Churches for nearly 40 years. He studied at Auckland University and St John’s Theological College and has a BA and a Licentiate of Theology.
David enjoys music very much. When he is not leading or assisting with services, he can be found singing in the St Mary’s Choir. David’s interest in music extends to classical music and occasional visits to the Opera and Orchestra.
David and his wife also like to travel. They visit their married daughter and their two grandchildren in Auckland regularly and have explored large parts of Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
David Trott - Director of Traditional Music
As Director of Music, DAVID TROTT is responsible for traditional music at KAC. David's talents on the organ and piano, and those of the wonderful choir he leads, are heard every Sunday at KAC's 9am service.
David's love of church music has been life-long. He became a choir boy at 6 years old and has been playing the organ since his legs were long enough to reach the pedals.
Before settling in New Zealand in 1989, David was the Director of Music at Hadleigh, and St Luke, Victoria Dock and played at a number of London churches including All Saints Margaret Street and St Mary Aldermary before going to Johannesburg where he was organist at both the Anglican and Catholic Cathedrals. He has given recitals in England, Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
David is a Fellow of the Curwen Memorial College of Music in London and has been on a number of courses at the Royal School of Church Music. He is also a life member of the Royal College of Organists.
Aside from his Sunday morning commitments, David teaches organ, piano and voice and plays at weddings and funerals. And when he can find a spare minute, David has an interest in cooking and old motor cars.
David has three adult children and five lovely grandchildren in New Zealand and Australia.
Gordon Rutherford - Ministry Assistant - Administrative
GORDON RUTHERFORD joined the staff at Karori Anglican Churches in January 2008 after a varied career in the public and private sectors including, most recently, a period working for Save the Children.
Gordon is the glue that holds the KAC office together. Amoungst his myriad of tasks, he prepares the weekly KAC newsletter and pamphlets for special services, puts together the data show for the 9am Sunday service, sells Ezee Meals and provides the Vical with general PA services.
Gordon is married to Sarah. His interests include walking, food (he is a keen amateur cook) and wine, reading, music, and movies.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Guy Benton – Youth Pastor
In 2010, Karori Anglican Churches enticed GUY BENTON away from his family and friends and a promising banking career in Palmerston North to take on the role of Youth Pastor.
As Youth Pastor, Guy works primarily with “Vive” - the youth and young adults crew of KAC.
Guy is responsible for the Friday night Youth Group, an opportunity for Years 7-13 to hang out, make friends, play games and share food. He also runs the Sunday evening worship service, a contemporary café style gathering (yes, there is coffee!), takes Youth Alpha courses and helps out with Boy’s Club.
Guy is studying towards a National Diploma of Youth Work and is a self-confessed sports fanatic. He plays representative Indoor Cricket and also enjoys football, squash and running.
Guy has recently demonstrated he isn’t afraid to put his body on the line in the course of his work, sustaining a nasty break to his cheek while taking a group of young people surfing!
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it phone: 027 6985938
Harry Nicholls - Associate Priest
Harry Nicholls is an Associate Priest. He leads and assists with services at St Mary’s (8am and 9am) and St Matthias and takes funerals when required.
A former general practitioner and specialist in Respiratory Medicine, Harry has had a life-long association with the Anglican church, fulfilling a number of roles (including Vestry member, Synod Representative, Lay Reader and Deacon) before being ordained a Priest in 1994.
Once a keen runner who helped the Hamilton Harriers to glory in the Rotorua Round the Lake Relay, Harry still likes to get out for walks, particularly in the bush. His local haunts include Otari Wilton bush, Kaitoke and the Eastbourne hills.
Harry and his wife Diane have a blended family of five sons (one sadly deceased) and two daughters. Their fox terrier Spike has been known to attend church services and has shown a particular liking for Christmas carols!
Julia Coleman - Associate Priest
Julia Coleman is responsible for Spiritual Enquiry and Ministry Outreach at Karori Anglican Churches. She is an Associate Priest at the church and together with Ben Johnson-Frow is responsible for leading the 10.30am Sunday service.
Julia (with her husband James) runs and oversees Alpha courses (a relaxed forum for anyone to explore the Christian faith). Julia also coordinates the “the Shed” (an opportunity for men of all ages to get together regularly for fun and friendship) leads the Boy’s Club and Junior Boy’s Club and she and James hold a Tuesday night cell group in their home.
Julia is Chaplain to the Wellington Branch of the Wellington District Law Society and a founding member of the Christian Lawyers’ Association of Wellington. She is also involved with “Pals” (Pray, Acknowledge Christ, Love people, and Share your faith), a ministry which helps Christians minister to their non Christian colleagues in the workplace. She also helps her husband James with leadership of the healing team which he heads.
Julia and James like ministering together and involving their two sons, Jacob and Sam.Jacob plays the guitar and Sam is a regular helper on sound desk. Julia is a former litigation lawyer and Crown Counsel and is currently helping James in his law practice part-time. James has been accepted for ordination to the priesthood so the family will soon have two priests as well as two lawyers.email:
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Paul McIntosh - Curate
Paul McIntosh has been on staff since February 2012, after he and his wife, Catherine, returned from living in France for three and a half years.
Paul’s main role is to coordinate the pastoral care at KAC, which lines up with his passion of helping people journey towards wholeness in all areas of their lives (physical, emotional & spiritual). His role includes providing pastoral care for those in need, supporting the ministries that serve in the local rest homes, home visits, to name a few.
Paul has been accepted for ordination to the priesthood. He was ordained a Deacon in Paris in 2011, upon completing a BA(Hons) in Contextual Theology at St Mellitus College in London.
Paul has so many interests that he doesn’t know what to do when he has time off. But he’s currently enjoying tennis & playing in the water, which he calls surfing!
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Raymond Muller – Associate Priest
DR RAY MULLER regularly leads, preaches and assists with services at St Mary’s.
For 17 years Ray was Archdeacon for Mission in the Diocese of Wellington, coming to the role under the leadership of Archbishop Brian Davis. Ray is experienced in evangelism, discipleship, teaching, training, stewardship, fundraising and strategic planning, both in New Zealand and overseas.
Ray also introduced Alpha to New Zealand in 1995 and was National Director of Alpha New Zealand from 1995 to 2008.
He is a researcher, author, seminar presenter, conference speaker, husband, father and grandfather.
His New Zealand research includes studies on ‘how people come to faith’ and ‘how churches do evangelism’, plus extensive statistical surveys on the Anglican church over several decades.
Most recently he has written ‘The Alpha Phenomenon’ in New Vision New Zealand Vol IV (2011). He is also the author of ‘Christian Giving in the Parish’ (1989).
Wendy Davidson - Business Manager
WENDY DAVIDSON has two little dogs, Maggie and Jack (not a Russell!). Her responsibilities include trying to keep the vicar under control, paying staff and creditors.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Our Mission
