John Pauwels Celebrant Christchurch

08/05/2026

Here's another story in the month by month series we running promoting some of the charities that our wedding couples have asked to donate John's fee to.
Today, we introduce to you Kidney Kids. Anne Bodger is their Communications and Events Specialist and she has written the following piece to introduce us to what they do for our kiwi kids who have kidney problems...

Did you know 1 in 10 people worldwide have kidney disease? Chances are someone you know is affected. Kidney Kids NZ is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting over 400 children and their whānau across Aotearoa on their journey with kidney disease. They provide personalised wraparound support, helping families navigate what can be an isolating and overwhelming experience, while also giving children the chance to simply be kids.
Through camps, events, and gatherings, children can connect with others who understand them, build friendships, and enjoy experiences they might otherwise miss. Kidney Kids also offers practical and emotional support to help families manage day-to-day challenges, so they feel confident, connected, and empowered to focus on caring for their children.
Kidney Kids NZ receives no government funding and relies entirely on generous donors and partners. Every donation, fundraiser, or act of awareness helps their Kidney Kids and whānau feel supported, understood, and part of a caring community - empowering them to live their best lives.

If you would like to help in any way, you can contact Anne at [email protected]

And of course, if you planning on getting married somewhere in Canterbury and would like to join John's commitment to supporting charity, please contact us through our website christchurchweddingcelebrant.co.nz

10/04/2026

Meet Astrid. A happier and more fun loving dog there never was. In fact, it looks like she took this selfie. As part of our series of promoting some of the charities we, and our wedding couples, have supported over the years, I'd like to introduce you to the Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue Trust.

To briefly recap, my partner and I offer a wedding celebrant service where most of the fee goes to a charity of the wedding couple's choice. Our only request is that the charity operates in Canterbury.
I'll hand over to Charlene who administers the charity....

Pitbulls, Staffys, Bullies and their crosses are often over looked
because of their looks and media hype. They are loving, loyal, gentle souls that simply need the right owner and lots of love.

Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue provides temporary shelter, food, medical attention, and comfort to neglected and rejected dogs. We seek out new homes for these dogs and try to educate the public about the humane care of dogs. We consider the unique needs of all the dogs in our care and work compassionately to prepare a safe, appropriately socialised dog for a wonderful new life.

Through our community de-sexing program we try to help prevent dogs ending up in shelters. We do this by de-sexing the dogs in our community producing unwanted litters. Our aim is to reduce the population of unwanted, neglected, and abused bull breed dogs by preventing at risk dogs from producing litters.

We approach owners, work with locals and councils to find at risk dogs, as well as helping lower income families ensure they are not adding to the problem by offering payment plans and heavily discounted procedures.

If you'd like to know more about this charity, or would like to donate, this is their website - https://www.chchbullbreedrescue.org.nz/

In the meantime, just soak up the joy and happiness that Astrid is sharing with you right now ❤️

12/03/2026

As promised, we continue our series on showcasing some of the charities we, and our bridal couples, have supported over the years.
Today, we introduce the Canterbury Neonatal Unit Trust Fund.
Having given birth to premature triplets many, many years ago, I cannot say just how important any funding is for those who care for these wee babes.
For the parents and family of babies in the unit, as well as the emotionally invested medical crew and ESPECIALLY the sick or very wee baby, it is an unimaginably stressful time! Lifelong emotional trauma can haunt the families of these tiny or sick babies.
However, I can never explain well what exactly a charity does. So I now hand over to Paul McEwan, Chairman of the Canterbury Neonatal Unit Trust Fund (since 1992), to tell us what they do...

The Canterbury Neonatal Unit Trust Fund is the original Neonatal Trust in Christchurch set up in 1992 with three main aims.
- The Trust wished to help provide extra facilities and funds for parents of children admitted to the Neonatal Unit ( for example to help with travel expenses for out of town parents, or to provide various items that might make the parents time at Christchurch women’s neonatal unit more pleasant.
- To facilitate post-graduate education of health professionals working in the Neonatal Unit (particularly nursing and para- medical staff, who normally have little access to funds and ongoing education).
- To provide equipment beyond the basic resources provided by the hospital management.
The original trustees included doctors working in the NICU, nurses, lawyer and parents of children who had been in the NICU and who shared these aims.
The setting up of the trust was prompted by the economic constraint the area Health Board was under at the time to meet its obligations to provide the resources demanded by the workload of the neonatal unit, so there was little scope for extras. Infants were transferred out to Auckland for heart surgery whilst other infants were transferred to our unit from the West Coast, Kaikoura and even Dunedin for surgery. Parents of these infants had the extra expense of not being in their home city and the financial assistance given by the ministry of Health only provided for the mother.
Nurses also needed to constantly up skill their nursing practice and there were no funds to assist them to attend conferences or courses. The Trust saw a need here too.
In the early days, there were many fundraising events and our trustees never turned down the opportunity to put their dinner suits and bow ties and give a talk if it meant a donation. Since then we have been very fortunate that although we have a relatively low profile within the community, funds continue to come to the Trust, but we are always mindful of the need to keep looking for innovative ways of raising money.
Over the years, the financial assistance of the Ministry of Health has provided to out of town parents has increased, but we still assist on the individual need of a family even if they are not from out of town. There is an approved amount of money all nurses can apply for once a year to attend a conference and in some cases this can be exceeded on an individual need.
The Trust continues to assist where it can and it appreciates the help it receives from individuals and companies.

If you would like to support them or make a donation, contact
Trish Graham
CNUTF Administrator & Trustee
[email protected]
03) 3644 741 or 027 386 3006

11/02/2026

Why is there a photo of three rather adorable Fantail chicks on a Wedding Celebrant page?
A good question with a brilliant answer.

John has been a celebrant for over 10 years now and during that time has donated $36,000 to charities of the wedding couples choice that operate in Canterbury.

Why? John had a very enjoyable career as an international pilot for Air New Zealand. He retired early as Captain on the B777 fleet in 2018, and committed his retirement to charitable causes. Other than his main charity work – The Pauwels Flying Scholarship (https://www.pauwelsflyingscholarship.co.nz/) – John has been a JP for over 30 years and had sponsored children all round the world for decades as well as supporting medical research.

Way back in 2014, John was approached by people who knew him, hoping he could officiate at their weddings. As a JP he had to decline but some were insistent.
Eventually he gave in and became a registered Wedding Celebrant. He didn’t need the money but he didn’t want to be taken for granted either – preparing a personalized wedding takes a lot of time - so he chose to charge the going rate but donate a major portion of the fee (keeping only a smaller amount to cover fuel and operating costs) to the charity the wedding couple choose to support.

If you check our his website - https://www.christchurchweddingcelebrant.co.nz/ - you will see all the usual suspects for the charities that have been supported through John’s services – St Johns, Westpac Rescue, Cancer Society….. but there are so many smaller charities out there doing stunning work that makes all of us stronger and happier.

Starting today, we will profile a charity, working in our backyard, each month for you to learn about the good work being done with the support of wedding couples from all over the world.
We take pleasure in introducing you to The Banks Peninsular Conservation Trust.

Banks Peninsula is one of Aotearoa’s most extraordinary landscapes — a place where native bush, birdsong, rugged hills, and coastal beauty come together in a way found nowhere else. Protecting it isn’t just an environmental task; it’s an act of love for future generations. That’s exactly why supporting the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust (BPCT) is such a meaningful choice for couples who want their wedding to leave a positive and long lasting legacy.
BPCT is a registered, award winning conservation organisation formed in 2001. Their mission is simple but powerful: to protect and enhance the indigenous biodiversity of Banks Peninsula through community partnership, landowner collaboration, and long term conservation action.
Their work includes:
• Habitat Restoration and Protection through planting, ecological planning, and community projects and partnering with landowners to create legally protected conservation covenants that safeguard land forever.
• Pest Management with predator control, pest free initiatives, and science based conservation.
• Community Engagement by Engaging with volunteers and communities to build a conservation movement that’s hands on, local, and lasting.
This is conservation with heart rooted in people, place, and long term stewardship. A wedding is a moment of connection, commitment, and hope. Supporting BPCT through John’s celebrant service turns that moment into something even bigger. It’s a gift that says: “Our love doesn’t just celebrate today — it protects tomorrow.”

If you are keen to help BPCT, you can contact Emma Newman, Partnership Manager, [email protected] or donate at https://www.bpct.org.nz/index.php/donate-now

13/11/2025

13/11/2025

22/09/2025

Welcome to the new wedding season. Among the first batch I had the privilege of officiating a beautiful ceremony at Pemberton Gardens for Helen and Craig. The perfect weather and new spring growth added to a wonderful atmosphere with an adorable fun loving couple.

Am thrilled to announce the creation of a brand new website designed by my talented daughter. We've detailed the process of bringing a memorable ceremony together in a user friendly manner. Hope you enjoy as much as we have bringing it together. christchurchweddingcelebrant.co.nz

19/07/2025

Over the past 12 years as a celebrant I have officiated many different styles of wedding. I got a call from Julia whom had done some work previously together with Simon. Her brief was with 5 days notice to participate in a surprise wedding to Simon. We had a lot of fun with this along with all participants. What personally enjoy the most is the warmth of all who participate and bear witness to such a wonderful occasion.

Will now let Simon pick up the story. . .

A Day of Surprises

Julia and Simon had been living together for 7 years and neither had thought they would bother getting married again (both had been married before). However, they went to the wedding of a friend’s son in February 2023 and Simon got a bit romantic and suggested that it might be a nice thing to do after all. Fortunately Julia agreed and they thought it might be ok to have a very low key wedding in July probably at the registry office.
Simon’s children were arranging a surprise birthday party for him on the last Sunday of April. His daughter Zoe suggested to Julia it might be a good idea to have an engagement party as well. Julia thought about this and realised that her son would have moved to Canada by then and she really wanted him and his partner to be there so it made sense to get married on that day as well.
But the birthday was a surprise so the wedding had to be too. Julia contacted John and explained the situation. John was very understanding and accepted that it might be too much of a surprise for Simon and so it might not go to plan.
The Sunday arrived. Julia had secretly bought a dress and had her hair done. Simon had suggested they go out for lunch but this had been turned down. At around 2:30 pm he was sitting in his usual armchair and the gate opened. His 2 sons, his daughter and 1 daughter-in-law plus Julia’s daughter and son and son’s partner all walked up the path. It was such a nice surprise! There were hugs all round and Champagne was opened. Then Julia dropped the second surprise. She said ‘while everyone is here there’s one other thing we could do’. It took a few seconds for Simon to realise what she was meaning. His reply was ‘that sounds great but don’t we need someone to officiate?’. The answer came back ‘he’s outside in his car’.
And John was sitting outside in his car! Julia went and got him and explained that it was all on and he very calmly organised things. The bride and groom got changed. Rings were removed to be used as part of the ceremony. 4 close friends (2 couples) arrived to complete the party.
The ceremony was held outdoors in our courtyard. It was simple but the words John used were full of meaning. More hugs and more Champagne! Julia’s son and Simon’s elder son were the witnesses.
Then the third surprise happened. Simon’s children said they had booked a table at a restaurant around the corner. When they arrived there were around 15 of their close friends there all shouting happy birthday. One of the friends who had been at the ceremony said ‘wait, there’s more’ and Simon said ‘I’d like to introduce you to my wife”.

15/07/2025

Having enjoyed bringing up family, indulging in an absorbing career intertwined with great interests has often made me think about happiness in life. Frequently folk are engulfed in growing empires or gaining possesions in continuous pursuit. With what personal reward? Having devoted all of retirement and sometime prior to charity it struck me what Steve Jobs had to say in his final essay - a sober message to all of what is important!

Steve Jobs revolutionized six industries (computing, music, phones, animation, tablet computing and digital publishing). He died on Oct. 5th, 2011 worth at the time $10.2 Billion dollars. That fact makes this essay even more remarkable.
This is Steve Jobs’ final essay:

I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In some others’ eyes, my life is the epitome of success. However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, my wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to. At this moment, lying on my bed and recalling my life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in have paled and become meaningless in the face of my death.

You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone bear your sickness for you. Material things lost can be found or replaced. But there is one thing that can never be found when it’s lost – Life. Whichever stage in life you are in right now, with time, you will face the day when the curtain comes down.

Treasure love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends. Treat yourself well and cherish others. As we grow older, and hopefully wiser, we realize that a $300 or a $30 watch both tell the same time. You will realize that your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world.

Whether you fly first class or economy, if the plane goes down – you go down with it. Therefore, I hope you realize, when you have mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, who you chat with, laugh with, talk with, have sing songs with, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth, that is true happiness! Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. So when they grow up they will know the value of things and not the price. Eat your food as your medicine, otherwise you have to eat medicine as your food.

There is a big difference between a human being and being human. Only a few really understand it. You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. In between, you have to manage! The six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence and friends. Maintain them in all stages and enjoy a healthy life.

The joy of family - wishing them continued happiness enjoying life in the decades on. . . . 😃

26/06/2025

Last weekend Christchurch hosted the Wedding Expo. It's popularity was easily seen by the crowds attending. When lined up at opening the queue was all the way back from the entry to Cathedral Sq end of the new Convention Centre. The exhibitors were outstanding and was delighted to encounter Vintage Transfers who we will feature on our revamped website shortly. When I left sometime later that queue grew even more!

26/04/2025

Pope Francis wrote this in the Hospital. ❤️

“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches...
They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports...
It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor.
A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar...
In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist...
A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care...
A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor...
It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design. And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing.
The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss.
A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence.
This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.
Do not criticize your body too much.
Do not complain excessively.
Do not lose sleep over bills.
Make sure to hug your loved ones.
Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.
Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance.
You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect...
Listen, perfection does not exist.
A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here.
Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.
So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.
Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you.
Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.
Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!
And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.”
—Pope Francis