Who am I?

George Bryant

QSM, JP, MA (Hons), Dip Theol, DipEd, DipTchg, AFNZIM, ATCL

George Bryant is a prolific author. He has written 43 books and booklets, edited over 50 volumes and written numerous articles. His 23rd book has just been published – LIFE IS… a ordinary Kiwi reflects.  He is one of New Zealand’s foremost writers on people in society, based on his experiences as a teacher, preacher, public speaker, politician and social worker.

George is also a publisher – a founding director of DayStar Books Ltd (www.daystarbooks.org)

Awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in the 2019 New Year Honours for his services to publishing and the community.

Education

  • 33 years in education, 15 of them as Principal of Whangarei Girls’ High (1980-94)
  • Staff (part-time) of Bethlehem Tertiary Institute in Tauranga. Monitored secondary teachers’ training in schools.
  • Chairman Auckland Secondary Schools’ Deputy Principals’ Association (1994)
  • Chairman Northland Secondary Schools’ Principals’ Association (1979)

Author/Publisher

  • Has written 23 books, 20 booklets, edited some 50 volumes, and written many articles for various magazines. His latest book Life Is… An ordinary Kiwi Reflects.  
  • Former Chairman of Daystar, a NZ Christian monthly magazine (2002-4)
  • Board member of Challenge Weekly (NZ-wide Christian newspaper) for six years
  • Established, with Julie Belding, a not-for-profit publishing company in 2011 – DayStar Books Ltd.
  • Now spends most of his time mentoring writers, editing, writing and publishing books that ‘give hope and inspire’, books that ‘will influence people and society in a positive way’. The company has published 46 such books.
  • Member NZ Society of Authors and Hon. Member NZ Christian Writers.

Community Service

  • Justice of the Peace (1990 -) Member of JPs Association
  • Board of Directors Bethlehem Tertiary Institute, Tauranga (2003 – 9)
  • Active Rotarian (40 years)
  • Awarded a Paul Harris Fellow (2005)
  • Former president of two clubs – Whangarei and Tauranga Te Papa – and Secretary of Pukekohe
  • World Vision Education Trust Board (1996-2000)
  • Vice-President Birthright NZ (1987-91) and chairman of Birthright Whangarei for several years
  • President Northland Mental Health Association (1993-4)
  • President Whangarei Council Social Services (1986-90)
  • Chairman Bay of Plenty Symphonia – 2005

Politics

  • President of NZ’s third political party (Social Credit) when it had 30,000 members and was a key player on the NZ political scene (1976-9) Candidate twice
  • Served six years on the Whangarei City Council; Chairman Town Planning (1983-9)

Religion

  • Ordained Methodist minister
  • Chaplain Wesley College (1995-8)
  • Pastored Presbyterian Churches in Tauranga since 1999
  • Now honorary assistant pastor of St Enoch’s Church in Tauranga.

Public Speaker

  • In considerable demand as a speaker to various organisations around the country on a variety of topics

Recreation

  • Travelled widely (Japan, Canada, USA, Taiwan, Pacific Islands, Hong Kong, Australia, Europe, Thailand, Middle East. (Israel, Turkey, Italy, Greece)
  • Plays a reasonable game of golf
  • Reads avidly
  • Wide appreciation of music, theatre, movies

Family

  • Married to Joan (BA, DipEd) – both a trained teacher and spiritual director
  • Two adult children – Julia de Cleene, BSW(Hons) and Rodney, MBA, BCom, BSc, Dip Finance

Other

  • Basic knowledge of Maori language and protocol
  • Listed in the 1991 and 2001 NZ Who’s Who.
  • Find him on Facebook