The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is visiting New Zealand to chair the largest Anglican gathering held in this country.
More than 80 delegates from 165 countries will take part in discussions at the 15th Anglican Consultative Council on how the church responds to issues ranging from environmental changes to domestic violence.
The 10-day council meeting begins in Auckland on Saturday. It will be Dr Williams' last major international engagement before he retires in December.
The official opening ceremony at the Telstra Events Centre in Manukau includes a combined church schools' kapa haka party from Auckland, Waikato and Hawke's Bay.
Dr Williams will travel to Waikato and Christchurch during his visit.
