Change of Guard at Salvation Army

Commissioners Garth and Mel McKenzie have been appointed new leaders of The Salvation Army for New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

The McKenzies took up their new roles from 1 June, succeeding Commissioners Shaw and Helen Clifton, who are now leading The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Commissioner Garth McKenzie holds the position of Territorial Commander, while Commissioner Mel McKenzie is Territorial President of Women’s Ministries. They are based at Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters in Wellington.

‘The role of Territorial Commander is a special position of responsibility within The Salvation Army, representing a challenge to give both pastoral and strategic leadership,’ said Commissioner McKenzie. ‘My aims are to see the Territory be spiritually healthy, well-resourced and focused in its mission.’

The McKenzies are both long-serving Salvationists, having been commissioned in 1975. They served in a variety of roles including corps (church-level) officership, youth leadership and administrative appointments at a divisional and territorial level. Commissioner Garth McKenzie holds the New Zealand Institute of Management Diploma and is an associate member of the Institute. Supporting the McKenzies in their new roles are Colonels Robin and Shona Forsyth who hold the positions of Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary of Women’s, Adults and Families Ministries respectively.

Garth McKenzie Commissioner Territorial Commander

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