John Bluck Collection

John Bluck has a master's degree in English from the University of Canterbury and a postgraduate degree in theology from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was ordained in New Zealand in 1970, then served in parishes in Gisborne, Wellington and Auckland. He also taught journalism full time at Wellington Polytechnic and edited the Methodist national newspaper, New Citizen, as well as contributing to radio and TV programmes. From 1976 to 1986 he was director of communications for the World Council of Churches in Geneva. Back home again, he was appointed professor of practical theology and communications at Knox Theological College in Dunedin. In 1990 he became the dean of ChristChurch Cathedral, where he served until 2002, when he was elected bishop of Waiapu. Throughout those appointments he wrote and broadcast regularly, including weekly columns in the Otago Daily Times, the Press and the Dominion Post, and authored a number of books on Kiwi culture and spirituality. Since retiring, he has continued to write and broadcast. Now living in Pakiri with his wife Elizabeth, he maintains a large garden, plays the trumpet, is involved in the local church, keeps up with movies and enjoys time with family.