Murray Edridge Wellington City Missioner
Murray Edridge is the twelfth Wellington City Missioner, a position he took up in 2018. He comes from Wainuiomata but now lives in Whitby.
Last night he gave us an insight into the work of the Wellington City Mission and his own part in it. Murray is the first layperson to hold the position and has a varied background in commercial life, NGOs, and public service, which he has used to good effect.
89% of Wellingtonians think the city is a great place to live, but for many others, life is a struggle. The City Mission has been working since 1904 in the greater Wellington area, to help those ‘left behind'. The vision is to empower them, transform their lives, and give them fullness of life. The Mission supports 400 people on a daily basis.
The underlying issues facing the Mission nowadays are homelessness and growing inequality. The Mission sets out to provide housing (especially transitional as opposed to emergency housing) and to mitigate associated problems such as isolation and addiction. The ‘left behind’ don’t have the same choices the rest of us do but can be encouraged to form communities of interest, which empowers them.
The Mission is leading a cooperative effort to provide 83 apartments for the homeless, and another development is underway. Funding comes from Government and donations from high net worth individuals.
A ‘social supermarket’ is operating, too, which, unlike a foodbank, gives clients choice in their food needs and thus affords them dignity and respect. The supermarket has been supported by public contributions and corporate players.
Murray stressed the Mission’s principle, which is to value people for who they are and encourage them to engage with others to give meaning to their lives. The Mission is clearly an innovative organisation with a strong and admirable sense of direction.
🪱🐦 When are you the most productive? 🌙🦉
The Post has been diving into our daily habits, and research suggests being an early bird or a night owl isn’t just a choice—it’s biology! We all have that specific time when our brains finally "click" into gear.
This raises a big question for the modern workplace. To get the best out of everyone, should employers accommodate our natural body clocks? This idea is at the heart of the four-day work week and flexible scheduling movements.
We want to hear from you:
1. When does your brain "click" into gear?
2. Would a flexible (or shortened) schedule change the way you work?
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
Wellington’s identity is built on its cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.
We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️
We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?
Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.
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45.7% I avoid spending money on coffee
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42.6% I still indulge at my local cafe
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11.7% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
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