Dear Brian and Peter

An Open Letter To Brian Tamaki and Peter Mortlock

Dear Brian and Peter

I am writing to you as a brother in Christ. Though I don’t personally know either of you all that well but I do know that you are part of the same tribe of Christian Believers that I am part of.

This letter is an appeal. It is my attempt to ask if you would consider a re-think about your stance on current Covid-19 measures by our Government (1). This letter is not intended to be a criticism of you or even a critique. It is not a letter to present an argument to try and have you change your mind about things you feel very strongly about. No, it is simply an appeal.

My appeal to you today is based on this premise.

1. We are living in the midst of a global pandemic.
2. In NZ we are more at risk of mass hospitalisations and serious illness since the Delta variant hit our shores back in August this year than we were last year with the original outbreak.
3. I think most New Zealanders agree that our Government has worked really hard to minimise the impact of the virus on lives and livelihoods.
4. I have met or talked to very few New Zealanders who say that they agree with everything the Government has done to date or is proposing to do.
5. You are aware of the wide spread support from the majority of New Zealanders about the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine including the Opposition and over 6000 Medical Doctors in NZ. My guess is that many, perhaps the majority of folks in both your churches are vaccinated, but I stand to be corrected.
6. Historically, there have always been about 10% of NZ’ers who are against any vaccine. That’s nothing new and the Government knows that.
7. There is widespread support from right across New Zealand for some kind of (new) regulations around the idea of a Domestic Vaccine Certificate.
8. Because the idea of a vaccine certificate is still very new it is understandably controversial. To be honest with you, I have some concerns of my own.

My appeal is simply this. Would you both give the Government a bit more ‘slack’? Could you give the Government a little more benefit of the doubt? Would you be open to the idea that the Government is still trying to save lives and livelihoods? That nothing has changed in this respect since March 2020? Would you be open to the idea that in a crisis, as we are currently experiencing that it is very hard for any Government regardless of ideology to get everything right because there is no are so many competing interests?

Brian and Peter would you be open to back off a bit and work constructively with so many other Christian leaders to help the Government get there policy settings as fair and right as humanely possible? That opportunity is right now in front of us. I am sure you would have some helpful insights that we could all benefit from.

And finally. All of us care deeply about our freedoms…..you bet we do. As a matter of fact I am that guy that doesn’t like being told where I can go, when I can go and who I can go with. But for now I am also that guy that takes the Apostle Paul’s words very seriously when he said, You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 (NIV).

Thankyou in advance for reading and considering this appeal.

Kind regards
Alan Vink

(1) When I refer to the Government I mean our PM and Cabinet, The NZ Health Department including Dr Ashley Bloomfield and the Panel of Experts that have and continue to advise Cabinet.

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.