The Whakatāne District in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is one of the most diversely beautiful areas in New Zealand and boasts a superb climate. The district is steeped in history and culture with a rich Maori history stemming from the landing of the Mataatua canoe.

The congregations of Knox Whakatāne and Ōhope  (the Knox Cluster) form with St David’s Edgecumbe, the Eastern Bay of Plenty Presbyterian Parish – together we are members of the Kaimai Presbytery, of the Presbyterian Church Aotearoa New Zealand. The Knox Cluster has responsibility for it’s life, worship and mission, and likewise St David’s have responsibility for their life as church together. We are held together by a shared mission to see God’s kingdom come, God’s will be done here in the eastern bay and we seek to support and strengthen one another for God’s glory. The arrangement is formalised by a MOU and through a Co-ordinating Council that meets quarterly.

The Parish has provided a strong ‘home’ for people and a powerful Christian witness across the Whakatane District since 1914.

Today the congregations consist of mainly mature, supportive and prayerful people who welcome opportunities for all ages to worship and socialise together.

Two services are offered weekly – 8:30am at Ōhope  and 10am at Knox (offering a mixture of contemporary and traditional worship elements). In addition a monthly service is offered to the people of Waimana – this is led by one of the elders of the church.

We are in the process of change, recognising the need to step forward boldly in reaching out to our community and its peoples with new vigor and direction.