The Catholic Institute is the inspiration of the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand who want to support the vision of an informed laity and supported by ministries where those working in ministry have had proper formation.
The vision for the Institute is as follows:
The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand is a centre for Catholic education and enquiry within the culture of Aotearoa New Zealand and its Catholic heritage. TCI will assist in the education and formation of people in the Catholic faith through the provision of quality courses relevant to their formation as members of the People of God and their roles in the mission of the Church.
It will:
In 2011 the Council for the Institute was formed by the Trustees who are the New Zealand Bishops. The Council resolved to proceed to appoint an interim Principal while it investigated the options for a permanent Director and completed the appointment process.
In July 2011 Mr Paul Ferris began as the Interim Principal tasked with the establishment of the Institute as a National body and with developing a head office with offices across the dioceses. His task was to ensure the transfer of staff to the new Institute and to engage with funding discussions with each diocese so that by 2012 the newly branded Private Training Establishment could deliver service.
In November 2011 the Council of TCI appointed Dr Anne Tuohy as the first Director and inaugural Professor of TCI. Professor Anne Tuohy brings to the organization many years of experience in tertiary education and as a lecturer in a Catholic University. She will continue to develop the Strategic Plan which aims to provide high quality formation information, formation and transformation for its students as part of our desire to assist in the bringing in of God's reign.