Amorangi ki Mua Commission on Episcopal Leadership

Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa Seal

Ko te Amorangi ki Mua

The name Amorangi ki Mua is taken from the whakatauki (Māori proverb) “Ko te Amorangi ki mua ko te hapai o ki muri.” “Let God be your spearhead and the people will support.” The late Rev. Canon Wi Te Tau Huata famously adapted the whakatauki to a moteatea (chant) that is still sung by Ngāti Kahungungu today.

The logo inspired by the late Bishop Richard Wallace and his crozier named Te Hēpara Pai which was carved by Ngai Tahu carver Fayne Robinson. It is adorned with greenstone, including the manaia that hangs from the front. It depicts the trinity and the changing world, coiled around the staff is the bearers whakapapa and connection to their place of birth.

The Commissions Work

On the 2nd of May 2023 Te Rūnanga Whāiti established this Commission to provide support to our Pīhopa and their whānau.

Pīhopa fulfil a crucial role in teaching, upholding, and safeguarding the whakapono and doctrine of our Hāhi; they serve the whakapapa and kotahitanga of te Tinana o te Karaiti in our worship and sacramental oranga; they have a role of leadership in our governance; they maintain discipline; and they lead our mission. (ACO 2008; Lima Document 1982)

The Oranga Ake of our Hāhi, of Te Iwi, and of Te Ao characterised by the aroha, rongo, and hari of Te Rangatiratanga o Te Atua – is bound up in the Oranga Ake of our Pīhopa.

Noting that Te Rūnanga Whāiti o Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa resolved to establish a Commission on Episcopal Leadership at its meeting in November of 2022.
Noting that this kaupapa has a long legacy of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa members from across all three houses who have strived for the unity of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa. That themes of unity and cohesion have continually been the call from Te Pīhopa o Aotearoa.
Noting the historical efforts by Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa to review and clarify the roles and relationships between ngā Kāhui Pīhopa, Te Pīhopa o Aotearoa and the ministry of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.
Noting as well the extremely demanding workload of a Pīhopa, the strain on members of whanau and on the overall individual wellbeing of each Pīhopa.

Te Rūnanga Whāiti agrees to establish a Commission on Episcopal Leadership to be made up of ten appointees, five appointed by Te Pīhopa o Aotearoa for their expertise across key areas of the Commission’s expected work, and five Amorangi appointees. The members will have a commitment to working prayerfully together for the collective well-being of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa. The work of the Commission will include:

A summary and evaluation of the best practice, mātauranga, biblical and theological work done by Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia and the wider Anglican Communion on the Ministry of a Pīhopa which includes policies and programmes uplifting the well-being of Pīhopa.
Identifying high-level principles of the key components for a successful episcopacy with special regards for whanaungatanga and tikanga of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and within the episcopal jurisdiction of Te Pīhopa o Aotearoa and Ngā Hui Amorangi Pīhopa.
A vision and kaupapa for Te Whare Pīhopa o Aotearoa / Kāhui Pīhopa within the church structure that considers and identifies any canonical or constitutional implications.
Agreed mechanisms that the Commission believe will inclusively and comprehensively incorporate the recommendations of the above whether by tikanga, canon, constitution, or some other appropriate mechanism.