Postgraduate Studies

Deepen your knowledge, enhance your ministry effectiveness, and open doors for career advancement.

Whether you are looking to pursue academic excellence, strengthen your leadership in ministry, or expand your professional opportunities, our rigorous programmes provide the tools and insights needed for meaningful impact.

Research

We are at the forefront of groundbreaking research in theological studies. Our commitment to academic rigour, critical inquiry, and faith-informed scholarship sets us apart as a world-leading institution in the field.

Study Options

Whether you have completed a Bachelor of Theology, or are coming from another field, there are a range of ways to engage in robust research at Laidlaw College. See our offerings below. 

• Graduate Diploma in Theology

• Postgraduate Diploma in Theology
• Master of Theology

"I was encouraged to be courageous and curious in asking questions, seeking to understand more and to grow in my knowledge and understanding of Theology and how this impacts our practice."

Kyla Scrimgeour - Master of Theology Graduate

Theology staff

Our staff are experts in their fields, and leading research academics. They are passionate about their subject areas and supporting you to grow and develop in your own research journey.  

Dr Gregory J. Liston

Senior Lecturer (Theology)

Greg is a Senior Lecturer in Theology, and is the lead academic for the undergraduate programs within the School of Theology. Greg’s research interests focus on the role of the Spirit in the life of the church, and exploring how the interaction between science and theology raises fundamental questions about reality and the nature of time. Read more about Greg here.

Dr Richard Neville

Senior Lecturer (Biblical Studies)

Richard is senior lecturer in Biblical Studies in the School of Theology. He teaches graduate and postgraduate courses in the Old and New Testaments and a postgraduate course Interpersonal Forgiveness in the Bible and the World. Read more about Richard here.

Dr John de Jong

Head of Theology | Senior Lecturer (Biblical Studies)

John (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Pākehā) is Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Postgraduate Lead in the School of Theology at Laidlaw College. John teaches Old Testament, Hebrew, and Biblical Interpretation. John has been on the editorial board of the Bible Translator since 2021. Read more about John here.

Rev. Dr Myk Habets

Senior Lecturer (Theology)

Myk is Senior Lecturer in Theology at Laidlaw College and has Senior Researcher status with AUT and ACT. He is also a Baptist pastor. Myk lectures in Systematic Theology and Ethics and has lectured at a number of universities and colleges in New Zealand and abroad. Read more about Myk Habets here.

Rev. Dr Maja Whitaker

Academic Dean | Lecturer (Theology)

Maja is the Academic Dean at Laidlaw College; she oversees all programme development and delivery and contributes to the development and outworking of College strategy. She is also a lecturer in the School of Theology, and has served as Practical Theology Lead and with the School of Theology Leadership team. Read more about Maja Whitaker here.

Rev. Dr Karen Kemp

Senior Lecturer (Theology) | Senior Coach (Centre for Church Leadership)

Karen is a Senior Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Studies/Pastoral Theology and teaches leadership and spiritual formation, conflict transformation, and ministry supervision. Karen is also the Pastoral Leadership Lead at Laidlaw, part of the Theology leadership team, a senior coach for Centre for Church Leadership and an ordained Anglican minister. Read more about Karen here.

Rev. Dr David Crawley

Professional Teaching Fellow (Theology)

Until 2020, David was a Senior Lecturer in the School of Theology at Laidlaw, specialising in Christian Spirituality. From time to time, he continues to lecture in the areas of spiritual care and professional supervision for people in the ministry. Read more about David here.

Rev. Dr Stuart Lange

Senior Research Fellow (Theology)

Stuart has a BD from the Melbourne College of Divinity, an MA with first class honours in History from Auckland University, and a PhD from the University of Otago. He joined Laidlaw in 1990 and teaches courses on the History of Christianity. Read more about Stuart here.

Dr Samuel Carpenter

Research and Professional Teaching Fellow

Sam teaches into Laidlaw’s Church History courses with a specialist focus on New Zealand religious and political history. He leads Te Rongopai ki Aotearoa Project at Laidlaw that is exploring the multidimensional relationships of Christianity and Māori society. Read more about Dr Samuel Carpenter here.

Rev. Dr Sarah Penwarden

Lecturer - School of Theology

Sarah has a doctorate in counselling, is a practicing counsellor, supervisor, and an Anglican priest. She teaches in the School of Theology on a part-time basis. Her academic interests connect to practical theology and counselling, and how the realities of ordinary life can be held in tandem with the hope of the Gospel. Read more about Sarah here.