E te tī, e te tā, tēnā koutou katoa. Ko James Beck tēnei, I’m James Beck and welcome to episode 1 of Ngā Here.

Over the years I’ve noticed that there are a lot of us who can see that our planet is a bit broken and that how we live as a people in Aotearoa is a bit broken too - and we’ve got some pretty big questions.

Questions about what the Bible might have to say about the way we live and care for creation. Questions about how we can deeply connect with the world around us and each other. Questions about why the church seems so useless when it comes to caring for God’s creation. And questions about how Māori and Pākehā can learn from each other, and grow together.

So if you’re keen - I’d love to invite you to come along on this crazy, beautiful, 6 part journey with me, Waiora Te Moni and Dr Andrew Shepherd - as we head to a remote off the grid hut on the Banks Peninsula, hidden in native bush, surrounded by birds - to explore the Ngā Here - The Many Connections that exist between creation, the Bible and living in Aotearoa.

Ngā Here - The Many Connections is a project funded by Scripture Union and the Wilberforce Foundation. Produced by James Beck, with Creative Direction from the Revered Spanky Moore. Our Music was created by the wonderful Chris William - check him out on Spotify. Artwork by Tepene Marsden.

Don’t forget to listen to the whole 6 part series of Ngā Here.