Archdeacon Maui Tangohau is excited to announce the appointment of Bardia Matiu as the new General Manager of Operations for Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa. He’ll move from Kaitaia to take up the job at the end of January.
Bardia stood out among a number of high quality applicants but his commitment and experience with the hāhi is what put him ahead of others. “Many of our people have the corporate skills and experience we are looking for, however it is pairing those qualities with a mature understanding of Te Hāhi Mihinare ki roto o Aotearoa, Niu Tireni me Poronihia nei. Bardia has all that plus the temperament to help lead and serve Te Pīhopatanga in the coming years,” Maui said.
“Archbishop Don and our team look forward to welcoming him home to Tairawhiti.” Bardia, who has Whakatōhea, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāti Porou ties on his mother’s side, said it was bittersweet to be coming home to Gisborne as the land is a reminder of the whānau who have passed.
Bardia, 47, has been involved with the hāhi since 2002 and said it was a blessing to now continue the career he loves within it. “The church has given me lot of opportunities including a residential scholarship once upon a time at St John’s Theological College and I also had the opportunity to be an ambassador representing the church in international forums. So I’m dedicated to the church and keen to give back,” Bardia said.
He said he was looking forward to getting stuck into creating some crisp systems and streamlining the organisation’s administration work. “We’ll be doing a review and seeing what ideas people have. I want people to have joy in their jobs rather than stress,” he said. He was also hoping to help ease Archbishop Don’s workload.
Bardia is currently CEO for Ngāti Kahu, his tribe from his father’s side along with Te Rarawa from the far north. Before that he was General Manager Operations at Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust – a kaupapa Māori social service within Te Hāhi Mihinare that supports whānau in nurturing tamariki.
The General Manger of Operations is responsible for Te Oranga Ake o Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa – the flourishing of the potential of the Māori Anglican Church. It involves the day-to-day leadership and management of the staff, systems and processes needed to support the strategic direction to deliver on the organisation’s vision and purpose. Despite it being such a big role to step into, Bardia said he wasn’t feeling nervous
“I usually have butterflies you know? I’m one for butterflies, but not his time. I just feel blessed to have the opportunity to come in and serve whanau,” he said.