Speaking out
A new perspective

Keith Newman, writer, poet and historian is passionate about bringing a balance to New Zealand’s early history by setting aside party political, tribal or denominational agendas.

He regularly speaks to church leaders and interested groups about the bi-cultural journey and the importance of reclaiming and feeling part of our own nation-shaping story.

His books and public speaking engagements examine where we’ve come; often from a localised point of view, in order to get a better idea of where we’re heading

Those books include Ratana Revisited (Reed, 2005 [out of print]); Ratana the Prophet (Reed 2009); Connecting the Clouds – the history of the Internet in New Zealand (Activity 2009), Bible & Treaty- Missionaries Among the Maori (Penguin 2010) and Beyond Betrayal - Trouble in the Promised Land (Penguin 2013).

Newman loves to explore the connections between the early Maori and missionary heroes of the faith, the stories of the Maori prophets during and after the land wars  and how we might learn from the tragedies of the past to create stronger foundations for the future.

While our early story is filled with greed, betrayal, loss and dispossession of our Maori Treaty partners, he says there’s a golden thread of hope, a divine purpose running through our history that can help restore a vision of kotahitanga (unity) for the future.
He says, he iwi tahi tatou, as stated by Governor Hobson to each chief at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, doesn’t mean we’re all the same. “It honours diversity and the dignity of difference and agreement to work together for the good of Aotearoa New Zealand where Maori interests would be protected, says Newman.

Newman believes a better understanding of the historical Christian foundations laid even before the missionaries arrived on these shores is necessary to provide a proper context for how history played out leading up to and after the signing of the Treaty.

References:
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“It has been my privilege knowing and journeying with Keith for several years. He has demonstrated a love for Aotearoa and all people who dwell here. His thorough research, writing, story telling and relationship with Tangata Whenua/Māori I think reflects the kind of attitude the God of the Hebrew and Christian Bible verses describe as loving with intentional purposes.” David Moko, Kaihautū Manatū Iriiri Māori (Leader, Maori Baptist Church NZ)

“Keith Newman has been and continues to be a forward thinker regarding partnership and 'two peoples becoming one.' He challenges us to 'press on and pursue the high call of God in Christ Jesus' by seriously considering what true reconciliation looks like here in Aotearoa. I believe he was one of the catalysts for the unfolding haerenga/journey of the Church to enter into this understanding of partnership,” Cindy Ruakere, singer, recording artist, worship leader, communicator.
 
“Keith is a thoughtful commentator in the NZ Christian realm drawing on essential histories mixed with sound cultural and theological contexts,” Bradford Haami, author, historian, TV producer, cultural advisor, public speaker.




If you have an interest in engaging me for a presentation for your group or organisation please contact me directly
Phone: 06-875-0116
Email: 
​ [email protected]

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Keith Newman
Public speaking itinerary

​Previous speaking engagements

2020
Howick Community Church
Sunday Feb 16 10am
Afternoon Q&A

 2019

Salt Church, Palmerston North

House of Breakthrough
Maranga conference

Hope Vineyard, PNorth (2 x)

Otago University
Maori Theology lecture

Christian Writers
Whitianga

Arise Shine gathering
Rotorua

Raumati Beach Church
Ratana Saturday + morning svce

Duart House, Havelock North
History lecture

​2018

Ratana Celebrations
25 Jan. Hope for the future

NZ Christian Councillors
Two lectures, Hamilton

Aglow, Hastings

Manurewa Baptist
Two sessions

Pacific Pearls, Karori Baptist

Hutt City Baptist (2 x)

Arrow Leadership NZ (4 x)

Glen Eden Baptist

Paeroa Combined Churches

Baptist Conference, Waitangi

West Baptist, New Plymouth

Salvation Army Hui, Flamere

Wainui Beach Church, Gisborne

House Breakthrough, Gisborne (2 x)

Kuruwha Trust, St Paul's Paihia

Harvest Church, Rotorua (3 x)

Upper Room, Newmarket

Napier Cathedral, history/origins

Dannevirke Combined Chuches (2x)

All Saints Church, Palmerston North

Auckland Museum: Peace & Musket Wars lecture

Alphacrucis College Conference
“Maori, Mission and Pentecost”.
 
Blockhouse Bay Baptist Church

Victory Christian Centre

Christchurch
Kotahitanga conference
North City Church,with Alistair Reece, Jay Lucas, Merekaraka Tawa (Ngai Tahu) and Donald Scott
Hope Presbyterian Church

Auckland EIT conference. Otara campus
Christian origins of the Treaty

Wellington Anglican Clergy Conference, 2014
Te Wananga o Raukawa, Otaki

Waiapu Clergy Training Day
St Luke’s Havelock North

Tauranga
Bethlehem College
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Changepoint church

Baptist Easter Camp
Mystery Creek, Hamilton

St Colombos Church, Taradale

St Pauls Cathedral, Auckland 

Lifeway College, Snells Beach
​Compass Conference
 
New Wine conference
Made for More
Warkworth College & Waikanae

 2013
Baptist Church Annual Conference
November, South Auckland

Whanganui- Manawatu
Presbyterian leaders
After dinner speaker

Whangarei Central Baptist

Christchurch:
Spreydon Christian leaders group
Laidlaw Bible College lectures
Middleton Grange Christian School

August 30th-September 1st
The Call 2012
Combined Missions Gathering
 Manukau Baptist

CMS AGM,
St Augustine’s Church, Cashmere, Christchurch, 

2012:
Waitangi week in Christchurch. Christian leaders, Laidlaw Bible College, North City Church and Spreydon Baptist 

Tertiary Christian Fellowship Conference, Nelson

William Colenso Bicentennial lecture, Napier.

2011

Napier Cathedral of St John 
 Te Paipera Tapu – A Lasting Toanga, 
LinkNZ leaders meeting, Christian
Community Church, Palmerston North

Palmerston North Christian Leaders Association (CLA)
 Central Baptist Church, 

Te Kohinga (the Network)
 St George’s Church, Tauranga

Rotorua Museum of Art & History, lecture,
 
New Life Pastors Conference, Palmerston North, 

Karori Baptist Church
6 February 2011, Waitangi Day