What is Venn Foundation?

As an educational institution, we help people embrace the riches of Scripture and the Christian tradition for the good of their homes, workplaces, universities, churches, and communities.

Through our Lead Programmes, Events & Courses, and Resources, we challenge people to think deeply, live faithfully, and serve wisely, to shape Aotearoa, New Zealand for the glory of God. These high-quality learning contexts are welcoming, demanding, and integrated. Participants are enabled to explore the human condition, full personhood, and the summons of the good news of Jesus Christ. We want to see people grow in wisdom and serve in areas such as business, politics, law, education, sport, media, and the arts.

Why “Venn” Foundation?

Venn Foundation takes its name from the Venn family, one of three pivotal families in what became known as the Clapham Group. Over three generations, the Venn family played a significant role in fostering a community of friends and collaborators. This group was deeply shaped by the good news of Jesus Christ and sparked vibrant social and cultural change in nineteenth-century Britain and beyond.

From the abolition of slavery (led by William Wilberforce), to the establishment of more than 100 non-profits, numerous labour and welfare reforms, and the cultivating of compassion in their culture, this group sought to live out the good news in its fullness. Members of this group served in business, education, politics, justice, media, church, and the arts, for they believed there was no part of human society that should remain untouched by the good news of Jesus Christ.

Informed by their understanding of what it meant to be fully human, they turned their attention to British global policy. It was Sir James Stephen (son-in law of Rev. John Venn) who wrote the instructions that would inform the drafting of what became the Treaty of Waitangi. And it was Henry Williams from the Church Missionary Society—which was founded by Rev. John Venn and later led by his son Rev. Henry Venn—who translated the Treaty and advocated for it to be signed by the Māori chiefs.

Although the Treaty process was not perfect and would indeed suffer much distortion, the actions of the Clapham Group contributed to a unique partnership. Their honest intentions and genuine desire around the Treaty provide motivation for us as Māori and Pākehā, as we continue to pursue Treaty partnership today.

Their faith, their lives, and their work stand as testament to what can be effected by a group of people who choose to serve Jesus Christ faithfully and who wisely and imaginatively seek to shape their society.

The Venn family and the Clapham Group are a wellspring of inspiration for Venn Foundation. While recognising the differences between their context and ours, we, like them, help people to seek the flourishing of society.

Matthew Hopper

Treasurer

Matthew works as a Commercial Account Manager at ASB in Auckland and has completed Bachelor degrees in Commerce, majoring in Finance, and Physical Education at Otago University. He was born and raised in Christchurch and moved to Auckland in 2014 to take part in Venn’s Residential Internship. Matthew’s board involvement comes from his deep care for Venn’s mission to help people integrate their faith into all aspects of life and vocation, to shape Aotearoa, New Zealand for the glory of God. He is married to Natalie and is a keen sportsperson, training for triathlon and running events.

Rev. Setaita Veikune

Setaita is a significant member of the Methodist Church. She was ordained to the church in 2013 and, since that time, has served as superintendent for the Tongan parish and synod, director of mission resourcing, president of women’s fellowship initatives, and a board member of the Methodist Mission. In 2018, Setaita became the first Pacific woman to be President Elect of the Methodist Church of New Zealand. She is deeply committed to serving her local community and was awarded an Honorary MNZM for services to the Pacific community. Setaita is married to Dr Maika Veikune and they have three children, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren. Setaita and Maika live in Auckland.

Helen Green