About the Peniel Trust
Flourishing pathways to Year 13
To develop a network of non-denominational, state integrated, co-educational, Christian schools providing pathways for students to Year 13 where faith and learning flourish together.
Property and resources to grow
To expand access to high quality, affordable Christian education in Wellington by providing schools with the property and resources to grow and thrive.
Overview
Peniel Charitable Trust is a dedicated charitable organisation committed to supporting Christian education in Wellington.
As the legal owner of the land and buildings used by Wellington Hills Christian School, we have faithfully carried a vision for a Y1–13 co-educational Christian school for many years together with the Wellington Christian Education Trust.
We work to expand the provision of quality state-integrated Christian schooling by ensuring Wellington Hills Christian College and future properties are well-resourced with buildings and property. We believe that faith and learning thrive together and canempower future generations through accessible, high-quality Christian education.
Our story
Peniel Charitable Trust has long been committed to supporting Christian education in Wellington.
Our journey with Wellington Hills Christian School traces back to 1979, when the school began as Miramar Christian School on Camperdown Road, Miramar. Established by a group from Miramar Baptist Church (now known as Gateway Baptist Church), the school initially catered for Years 1–8 and sought to equip young people for a life of service to God and the community.
Over the years, Peniel Charitable Trust, together with the Wellington Christian Education Trust, has faithfully carried a vision for an interdenominational Christian school in Wellington offering a full pathway from Years 1–13. In 2022, a project was launched to explore relocating the school to improve accessibility for students and support the school’s growth.
In January 2023, the New Zealand Christian Proprietors Trust (NZCPT) was invited to become the school’s proprietor, bringing with it a proven track record in fostering school growth and nurturing the Christian special character across its eight existing schools.
In 2024, the Minister of Education approved the school’s relocation and expansion to Year 13, adding one year level annually. The Peniel Trust purchased the Johnsonville site and remodelled the first of the two large double-storey buildings to provide a state-of-the-art teaching facility. This marked an important milestone in our ongoing journey to provide a quality Christian education from primary through full secondary schooling.