Bible Society New Zealand
Product brand
UnclaimedBible publishing and distribution organization in New Zealand.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Bible Society New Zealand is a non-profit organization dedicated to translating, publishing, and distributing the Bible, and promoting Bible reading. It is part of the United Bible Societies.
History
Bible Society in New Zealand began in 1846 as the Auckland Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Its earliest work reflected the practical challenges of distributing Christian Scriptures in a developing colonial society. Volunteers travelled through remote settlements, including areas difficult to reach by conventional transport, to provide Bibles to settlers and Māori communities. Over time, the auxiliary developed into a national Bible society serving churches and Christian communities across New Zealand. The organisation’s work broadened from basic distribution into publishing, translation support, specialist production, and partnership-based outreach. It has published or helped distribute Bibles in English, Māori, and Pacific languages, along with New Testaments, Gospels, children’s resources, seasonal leaflets, school materials, and church resources. As a member of United Bible Societies, it has also participated in a global system through which Bible societies share translation, editorial, manufacturing, and distribution capabilities. Language and cultural projects have been an important part of its New Zealand history. A Tokelauan New Testament was launched in 2009, and the society undertook work to reformat the Māori Bible published in 1952. It also supported the development of a Māori children’s Bible. In the same year, author Joy Cowley worked with the society on Tārore Story, a children’s publication based on the story of a Māori girl who died in 1836 and whose death had a significant effect on Māori communities. The book was distributed free to approximately 240,000 schoolchildren across New Zealand. The society has also produced resources for communities with specific practical needs. In 2013 it published a waterproof and tear-resistant New Testament for New Zealand Defence Force personnel. The project was initiated after military chaplain Lance Lukin identified a need for a durable field edition. Approximately 5,000 copies were printed for distribution to recruits, and the publication was associated with adventurer and former soldier Bear Grylls. A major organisational change occurred in 2017, when Bible Society New Zealand merged with Manna Christian Stores. Manna had begun in 1972 with a flagship store in Invercargill and grew into a Christian retail chain. The merger created the Bible Society New Zealand Group and added physical retail, online sales, church support, and educational events to the society’s established publishing and distribution activities. Manna stores sold Bibles, Christian books, music, gifts, and other resources and worked with churches, mission groups, and Christian leaders. By 2023 and 2024, the group faced increasing operating pressures. Its leadership cited higher commercial rents, international freight costs, logistics expenses, and paper prices while considering the future of several Manna locations. In March 2024, the organisation announced the closure of its Wellington office and the consolidation of its headquarters in Auckland. It also closed three Manna stores in March and announced the closure of three more in May, including locations associated with Invercargill, Auckland, and Hastings. The group retained its online store and explored ways of preserving some community functions through possible church involvement, although reported approaches to churches to acquire former stores did not succeed because of operating costs. The organisation continues to operate as a donor-supported Christian nonprofit. Its present role combines national Bible distribution, publishing and language access, cooperation with United Bible Societies, church and community partnerships, and selected retail and online activity.
- 2024
Auckland headquarters consolidation and store closures
[1]The Wellington office was closed and headquarters functions were consolidated in Auckland. Six Manna stores were scheduled for closure across March and May, while online retail was retained.
- 2017
Merger with Manna Christian Stores
[1]Bible Society New Zealand merged with Manna Christian Stores and formed the Bible Society New Zealand Group.
- 2013
Military New Testament published
[1]A waterproof, tear-resistant New Testament was produced for New Zealand Defence Force personnel, with 5,000 copies initially printed.
- 2009
Tārore Story distributed to schoolchildren
[1]Bible Society New Zealand worked with children’s author Joy Cowley on Tārore Story, which was distributed free to approximately 240,000 New Zealand schoolchildren.
- 2009
Tokelauan New Testament launched
[1]The organisation reported the launch of the first Tokelauan New Testament, extending its language-access work in the Pacific.
- 1846
Auckland Auxiliary established
[1]The organisation began as the Auckland Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, establishing the institutional foundation for Bible-society work in New Zealand.
Products and positioning
A non-denominational Christian Scripture provider combining Bible publishing, distribution, language-access projects, church partnerships, donor-funded outreach, and Christian retail. Its distinctive positioning is rooted in New Zealand’s long Bible-society tradition while participating in the global United Bible Societies network.
Bible publishing and distribution
English Bibles and New Testaments
The society publishes and distributes general-reading Bibles, New Testaments, Gospels, and outreach editions in English. Through its own programmes and the United Bible Societies network, it can provide multiple Bible versions and formats for churches, individuals, evangelistic work, and community distribution.
Language and cultural publishing
Māori Scripture resources
Bible Society in New Zealand has supported the publication and preparation of Māori-language Scripture resources, including reformatting work on the Māori Bible published in 1952 and development of children’s material intended to make biblical stories more accessible to younger readers.
Language and translation publishing · 2009
Tokelauan Scripture
The society has supported Tokelauan Scripture development, including the first Tokelauan New Testament launched in 2009 and work toward a complete Tokelauan Bible. These projects form part of its wider commitment to making Scripture available in languages used in New Zealand and the Pacific.
Specialist Bible edition · 2013
New Zealand Defence Force New Testament
This edition was designed for military use with waterproof, tear-resistant materials suitable for field conditions. The project was initiated by military chaplain Lance Lukin and produced for distribution to New Zealand Defence Force recruits. The initial print run was reported as 5,000 copies.
Children’s Christian resource · 2009
Tārore Story
Written with children’s author Joy Cowley, Tārore Story presents the account of a Māori girl who died in 1836 and the subsequent impact of her death on Māori communities. Bible Society New Zealand distributed the resource free to schoolchildren as an educational and Christian outreach publication.
Christian retail · 1972
Manna Christian Stores
Manna Christian Stores became part of the group through the 2017 merger. Its stores and online channel sell Bibles, Christian books, music, gifts, and related resources, while also supporting church partnerships, workshops, and conferences. Several physical locations were closed in 2024, but the online store was retained.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Defence Force New Testament distribution
New Zealand
The society worked with military chaplaincy personnel to create a durable New Testament for service members and new recruits.
Outcome. An initial 5,000 copies were printed and distributed, with a reprint reported as being planned.
- 2009Tārore Story school distribution
New Zealand
Bible Society New Zealand partnered with Joy Cowley to distribute a Māori historical and Christian story to approximately 240,000 schoolchildren, combining children’s publishing with cultural and religious outreach.
Outcome. The publication was distributed free across New Zealand schools.
Brand decisions
2024
Consolidate headquarters and reduce retail footprintStrategyBackground
The group was seeking to reduce the cost and complexity of its office and retail operations.
Action taken
The Wellington office was closed and headquarters operations were reconsolidated in Auckland. Three Manna stores were closed in March and three more were scheduled to close in May.
Aftermath
Manna’s online store continued, while approaches to local churches to acquire some former store sites were reportedly unsuccessful because of high operating costs.
2023
Review of Manna store networkStrategyBackground
The organisation faced rising building lease costs, international freight expenses, logistics costs, and paper prices.
Action taken
Leadership explored closing selected stores and considered online sales and franchise development as ways to improve operating efficiency.
Aftermath
The review led to announced closures of several physical stores during 2024, while the online store was retained.
2017
Merge with Manna Christian StoresM&ABackground
The Bible society sought to combine its Scripture publishing and distribution work with Manna’s Christian retail network.
Action taken
The organisations merged to form the Bible Society New Zealand Group.
Aftermath
The group operated both Bible-society programmes and Manna retail channels, including physical stores and online sales.
Sources2 sources
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