Elesha Gordon
General Manager | Auckland
Elesha manages Media Chaplaincy New Zealand and keeps everything ticking. As a former journalist, she is passionate about ensuring media personnel are seen as real people, especially by those sitting outside of the industry. Elesha is focused on advocating for the sustainability of media and the overall wellbeing of those working in the industry.
Rev. Francis (Frank) Ritchie
Lead Chaplain | Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty
Frank is the lead chaplain for Media Chaplaincy New Zealand. He is an ordained Wesleyan Methodist minister, and leads a small church in Hamilton. Frank has a history in radio broadcasting and can be heard every Sunday night on Newstalk ZB as well as Rhema Media’s stations from time to time. He highly values the place of the media in society and many in the industry have trusted him enough to sit down and have confidential conversations about life and work.
Frank has a spacious view of the world and a curiosity about various worldviews. His own way of seeing the world compels him to see value in all people.
Rev Atu Lagi
Chaplain | Auckland
Having formerly worked as a radio announcer, Rev Atu Lagi is a great addition to the chaplaincy team and is focused on those working in Pacific media. Atu's credentials include qualifications in pastoral care, education and leadership. He describes his passion as helping nurture people to grow into their full potential. He currently serves as a minister at The Streams Community Church.
Petra Bagust
Chaplain | Auckland
A familiar face on New Zealand television, Petra joined the Media Chaplaincy team in 2020 and is a significant asset. Her love of broadcasting and her heart for people compliment each other beautifully in her new role. She's always up for a yarn and ready to spice up any conversation with advice from her experiences (highs and lows) in the industry.
Petra is currently studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Chaplaincy through Otago University
Rev Petra Zaleski
Volunteer | Auckland
Petra is the minister of St Peter's Anglican Church in Onehunga, Auckland. Petra is a mother of two and has experienced the ups and downs of life. She has been shaped by some tough challenges that have given her the ability to be open-handed with others, whatever walk of life they may come from. She has an infectious personality that makes her a pleasure to spend time with, and we believe that any media personnel would benefit from the chance to spend time with her.
John Dennison
Volunteer | Wellington
John is a university chaplain, based at the Anglican Chaplaincy at Victoria University, where he has particular responsibility for pastoral care of Victoria's staff and postgraduates. He also works for the Venn Foundation, teaching and supporting Venn Alumni in their ongoing life and work. A sometimes university teacher and researcher, he's passionate about healthy workplace cultures and helping others to live well within organisations. He would describe much of what he does as a chaplain as 'making room' for the heart, and for God. John is a poet and is married to Jannah, a musician. They have three boys.
Rev Spanky Moore
Volunteer | Nelson
Spanky Moore is an ordained Anglican minister who, until recently, was the chaplain at the University of Canterbury and mercifully still sports a beard of significant splendour. In a past life Spanky has worked as the breakfast host on Christchurch student radio station RDU 98.5FM, a writer and editor for various magazines, as well as a brief stint as a TV co-host. More recently he's been producing and hosting radio documentaries for Radio New Zealand and NZ On Air. Spanky is passionate about the importance of connecting our deep beliefs and our work - and understands the unique pressures the media industry can have on spiritual, emotional and relational health.
Important Others
Nationwide
We have full confidence that each of our chaplains can appropriately deal with a wide range of diverse people and circumstances. That said, our group of chaplains recognise that for some there may be sensitivities around gender and culture- in such instances, you may feel like someone other than our team above may be a better fit for you. If this is the case, please still get in touch with us. We are connected to a broad range of pastoral people and are confident that we can find someone you can talk to who is appropriate for your situation.