devonportflagstaff.co.nz
July 18, 2025
Fishing access restored at Bayswater breakwater... p3
Finals await North Shore rugby sides... p4-5
Interview: Museum man Alastair Fletcher... p22-23
Bishop involved after Holy Trinity parishioner exodus Anglican Bishop of Auckland Ross Bay has stepped into the schism at Holy Trinity in Devonport. The split has led to the church losing income and more than 60 members leaving amid clashes over vicar Rev Chris Murphy’s style, theology and future plans. Numerous former members have contact-
ed the Flagstaff after stories in our 20 June and 4 July issues detailing the $60,000 deficit the church faced this year and the concerns of long-serving parishioners. Some have issues with Murphy’s personal leadership style, which one described as “rigid, divisive and exclusionary, as opposed to the collaborative inclusive and
flexible leadership styles of his predecessors at Holy Trinity”. When the Flagstaff contacted the diocese this month, it referred any comment to Murphy. However, by last Friday the situation had escalated. When contacted for comment on the nuTo page 2
Flying the flags for Palestine
Public protest... Local resident Margaret Taylor of Amnesty International (right) at the front of the Devonport Out For Gaza march on Victoria Rd last Saturday. More pictures, story pages 10-11.