July 2026
Official Engagements
Commissioner Janine Donaldson (Territorial Commander)
6-8 July: Territorial Appointments Conference, BCM
7 July: Territorial Online Prayer Meetings
15 July: SEF Mid-Winter Christmas Dinner with corporate partners and suppliers, Auckland
17-27 July: Kaitaia and Whangarei road trip
19 July: Kaitaia Corps
26 July: Whangarei Corps
Colonel Jennifer Groves (Chief Secretary)
2 July: Prayer at Parliament, Parliament Building
6–8 July: Territorial Appointments Conference, BCM
7 July: Territorial Online Praying Together meeting
19 July: Sunday service at Woodville Corps
28 July: Launch of Charitable Reuse Aotearoa, Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament
Gazette
Retirement: Effective 31 May 2026, Major Uraia Dravikula will enter retirement after 34 years, 4 months and 5 days of active officer service. Uraia, along with his wife Maraia, entered The Salvation Army Training College in Fiji from Raiwai Corps in 1990 as a cadet of the ‘Servants of Jesus’ session. We honour Major Uraia Dravikula for his faithful service as an officer of The Salvation Army, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory. We pray God’s continued blessing upon his ministry and service as he continues his current appointment in retirement.
Additional Appointment: Effective immediately, Major Michelle Lee has been appointed as Regional Spiritual Life Development and prayer coordinator for the Samoa Region. We pray that God will continue to bless Major Michelle Lee as she takes up this additional appointment.
Bereavement: Matthew Sampson, grandson of Majors Barbara and Kingsley Sampson, passed away in his sleep on Saturday 30 May 2026. Matthew was 28 years old, a librarian, Star Wars and Lego man with an active and deeply considered faith in God. We ask you to uphold Majors Barbara and Kingsley Sampson, along with Matthew’s parents Michael and Katrina Sampson, his siblings, his fiancée Nellie, and other family members, in your prayers during this time of grief and loss.
Retired officer Major June Tyson, mother of Major Keith Tyson, was promoted to Glory from Hobart Hospital in Tasmania, Australia, on Thursday 4 June 2026, aged 89. We ask you to uphold Major June’s husband, Major Neville Tyson, Majors Keith and Christina Tyson, along with extended family in Australia and New Zealand, in your prayers at this time of grief and loss.
Sheila Carpenter, sister of Major Peter Scadden, was promoted to Glory on Monday 8 June 2026, from Christchurch. We ask you to uphold Majors Peter and Jeanette Scadden, and other family members, in your prayers at this time of grief and loss.
Carla Lindsey has been promoted to Glory from her home in Hamilton on Wednesday 10 June 2026, surrounded by her family. Carla has been a soldier and employee of The Salvation Army for many years culminating in her territorial role as Women’s Ministries social media and resources specialist, a role which she only recently relinquished due to declining health. Carla was known to many around the territory for her music, teaching and speaking, through Thought Matters Conferences, and in her online presence in Women’s Ministries. We recognise with gratitude the rich contributions Carla has made to God’s kingdom through her life and ministry in The Salvation Army. Please uphold Carla’s husband Bevan and family in prayer at this time of grief and loss. Well done good and faithful servant.
Miliame Foama, the mother of Captain Eleni Daucakacaka, was promoted to Glory on Saturday 20 June 2026, from Lautoka, Fiji. We ask you to uphold Captains Eleni and Rupeni Daucakacaka and other family members in your prayers during this time of grief and loss.
Promotion to Glory: Major Caroline Smith was promoted to Glory on Thursday 11 June 2026, aged 91 years, from Kenepuru Hospital, Porirua. Caroline entered The Salvation Army Training College in Wellington from Gisborne Corps as a cadet in the ‘Heroes of the Faith’ session in 1963. Caroline was commissioned as a lieutenant on 18 January 1965. On 23 January 1965, Caroline married Captain Richard Smith. Please uphold Major Caroline Smith’s children Margaret Anne, Richard and Philip, granddaughter Captain Michal Baken, and other family members in your prayers at this time of grief and loss. Well done good and faithful ‘Hero of the Faith’.
