The Catholic Institute

National Centre for Religious Studies

Who we are

NCRS is one of the three organisations, along with the Tertiary Education provider (PTE) and the Nathaniel Centre, that forms the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand.

NCRS is responsible for the production of religious education and catechetical programmes at early childhood, primary and secondary levels for schools and parishes. 

We also produce adult education courses such as Walk by Faith and teacher formation programmes including "Having Life to the Full" (a Catholic course in Human Sexuality).

Our Staff

Mr Colin MacLeod is Head of Partnerships and Director NCRS

Mrs Anne Kennedy is associate Director and Resource Developer

Dr Laurel Lanner is an NCRS Resource Developer

Ms Lyn Smith is an NCRS Resource Developer (0.2)

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is an NCRS Religious Education Developer

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is an NCRS Resource Developer (seconded)

Links:

Main sites:

FaithAlive - Primary RE Curriculum site for schools

FaithCentral - Secondary Understanding Faith Curriculum site

FaithJourney - Faith formation support site for schools and parishes

 

Additional Resources:

Certification and Professional Standards

The primary Religious Education Bridging Document

Encountering the Divine - Aotearoa NZ stories of experiencing God

Aotearoa Catholic - Our YouTube Channel

FaithCentral - provides "open" school and parish thematic resources

Gender Complexity in Catholic Schools 

He Anga Whakamārama - Te Mātauranga Hōkakatanga: He puka ārahi mā ngā hapori Katorika o Aotearoa Framing Document - Human Sexuality Education: A guide for Catholic communities in Aotearoa New Zealand

 

What we do

Religious Education in Primary and Secondary schools
NCRS is responsible for supporting the RE curricula in Catholic schools. Through these programmes young people are offered the means to develop an understanding of Church teaching, history and Tradition. It helps form a foundation for their own faith formation and support for their growing, personal relationshop with Jesus  and God's Church.
 
 Parish-based programmes 
NCRS produces a range of materials to support faith formation at the parish level. This includes:
 
  • Resources for parish catechists in the catechesis of school age chldren who do not attend Catholic schools (www.faithjourney.co.nz)
  • Parish group-discussion materials available from the Catholic Enquiry Centre
  • Resources covering particular current topics - posted on FaithCentral
Early-childhood RE 
The aim of Religious Education for pre-school children is to lead them toward a loving, personal relationship with God. NCRS provides a number of resources to support family/whanau, parishes and early childhood services.
 
Adult faith education   
NCRS endorses courses designed to increase understanding and encourage a mature faith including our own programme Walk by Faith. Walk by Faith is not an NZQA accredited programme.  NCRS promotes courses, diplomas and degrees available through tertiary institutions in New Zealand.  As a member of The Catholic Institute, we strongly recommend the NZQA Certificates and Diplomas offered by TCI.
 

Where to find us

The NCRS office is located at:

Catholic Centre
Level 4, 300 Rattray Street
Private Bag 1941
Dunedin 9054
Ph. 04 8198386

 

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