Anne Phillips

Waka: Ngatokimatewhaora

Maunga: Ruapekapeka

Awa: Waiomio

Iwi:  Ngapuhi, Ngaruahinerangi

Hapu: Ngati Hine, Ngati Hau ki te Omanaia, Kanahi- Umutahi

Amorangi: Te Upoko o te Ika

Place of Residence: Gisborne

Like most Anglicans of my generation I was christened as a baby in our parish church at Rawene. My commitment to continue as an Anglican surprises me to this day. Why? I like the open- mindedness of the Anglican Church. I like the courage of Anglicans when standing up for the dispossessed in Aotearoa and abroad. The people, especially the hard-working, generous and loyal followers, within our Amorangi ki te Upoko o te Whanganui-a-Tara are shining examples of service. I struggle with the Anglican legacy of colonisation, the lasting disparities of wealth within the church and the Anglican hierarchies failure to address te Tiriti o Waitangi. In terms of an Anglican faith journey I personally am in a quandary. I ask, “What’s next?” Where is the Anglican voice as the cost of living crisis spirals out of control?

My background is with the legal profession. I am honoured to be on the Commission of Episcopal Leadership as the appointee of Bishop Waitohiariki Quayle. My main objective for the Commission is to make its recommendations count.