Closure of Kaikorai church in Dunedin being considered

Submissions on a property proposal involving the closure of the church, as well as other matters, closed on November 28.

The pastoral area combined finance committee, with Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley, will consider the submissions. The committee will feed back any decisions, recommendations and timeframes that emerge to the parishes before Christmas.

According to a 2025 property report on the Kaikorai church, the building is “in significant need of major works . . . which the parish cannot fund from any savings”.

The parish has a historic debt to the Diocese of $47,000 and to Mornington parish of $45,000. The property proposal suggested acknowledging that it is no longer possible to maintain the site. It was recommended that a Vigil Mass be moved back to the cathedral, possibly using the chapel with St Mary’s pews (to fit more people).

Some land sales were proposed, including having a portion of land below St Mary’s School in Kaikorai de-integrated, so as to make it an attractive land parcel to a developer.

After repayment of debt, the remainder of proceeds of land sales could be used to retain the Kaikorai presbytery for the bishop’s use and undertake urgent maintenance on it. Significant maintenance is also required at the cathedral.

This year, Dunedin Diocese has undertaken to create full reports for all parish properties on the current state of repair and maintenance that is required, some of which is very urgent.

“This is a difficult thing to have to face especially when funds are very limited,” a notice on the cathedral website stated.

However, “the faith across our pastoral area is strong and this is the most important thing. As good stewards of our properties, sometimes we have to make hard decisions for the situation we find ourselves in, being unable to maintain all our churches and presbyteries”.

FULL STORY

Property Reports & Proposal (St Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin)

Cathedral and Hills property proposal 2025 (St Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin)

November 30 Cathedral and Hill Suburbs newsletter (St Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin)