Rota, affectionately referred to as Te Mātāmua o ngā Minita Māori, acknowledging his position as the first Māori to be ordained as an Anglican clergyman in Aotearoa, was a trusted companion of Bishop Selwyn and a graduate of St John’s College. He served faithfully at Te Kawakawa, now Te Araroa, where his ministry bridged deep cultural divides and earned respect from clergy, chiefs, and colonial leaders alike. 

Rawinia Gibbons, Rota’s great-great-granddaughter, and her husband Nigel have undertaken a few mini-pilgrimages retracing his footsteps across the country. 

That journey recently saw them return to St John’s Theological College where Rota played a pivotal role and trained for ministry. Rawinia is passionate about maintaining their ancestral connections.  

“It’s about our connection to the whenua, to our people, to our communities, from way back to the future,” she explains. “This is my indigenous right. This is my heritage, and I need to carry this with pride.”  

From St. Stephen’s College (Tipene) to Te Waimate, from Kaitaia to Howick, they have meticulously documented and researched the life of a man who played a crucial role in bridging Māori culture and Christian faith.  

On this journey, the couple were joined by a whanaunga of Rawinia, who happens to also be a descendant of Iharaia Te Houkāmou, a chief of Ngāti Porou who had a complex relationship with Rota. 

At first, Te Houkāmou showed resistance towards Rota and the Christian faith, but eventually, accepted the ‘outsider’, offered himself for baptism and became a close friend and supporter of Rota.  

“There was a time when Te Houkāmou would have seen there were some outstanding achievements by Rota. Rota was a humble man, from what we understand, and Te Houkāmou would have observed that behaviour and what he did in the community, and that was when he had earned his right through Te Houkāmou’s, eyes,” Rawinia explains. 

“He could not have accepted Rota any other way. It was purely from the mahi that he did, that he continued to just get on with helping this community.” 

Their mission involves extensive research, collecting oral histories, and connecting with communities where Rota once preached. Everywhere they have travelled, and in every interaction, they have found a new anecdote or story of connection to their tipuna. 

“Someone has to do this mahi to ensure that his legacy is kept alive,” Rawinia says. 

The ultimate goal is to collate as much information as possible of Rota Waitoa’s life and build a website for whānau to share, learn and be immersed in their ancestor’s legacy, and the significant role he played in developing the spiritual and cultural landscape of Aotearoa. 

The journey hasn’t been without challenges and resistance from groups reluctant to share history with “outsiders”. 

However, as Rota himself did, they haven’t shied away, and instead view those challenges as opportunities to educate, enlighten, and spread the story of Rota Waitoa to a wider audience.  

Nigel is convinced that Rota’s influence continues beyond his physical lifetime. “I believe that Rota is still alive in the spiritual sense,” he says. “He must still be leading us with what he does.”  

Rawinia feels immense pride whenever she hears today’s Māori ministers acknowledge Rota as the foundational figure in the Māori church, recognising his strategic teachings and his role in preserving Māori culture during a challenging period of colonisation. 

Rawinia sees the current students at St. John’s College as the torchbearers of this legacy.  

“The tamariki that are going through the kura here at St. John’s are going out there, and they’re going to preach,” she says with pride. “They will continue the work started by our tupuna.”  

As they continue their hīkoi, Rawinia, Nigel, and their whānau are not just preserving history – they are keeping a spiritual flame alive, honouring the memory of a man who bridged cultures and inspired generations.  

“We’re only just touching the surface,” Rawinia says, her eyes bright with determination. “But we will continue to research, to share, and to ensure that Rota’s legacy lives on.” 

The post Rota Waitoa’s Legacy: A Spiritual Journey of Remembrance and Connection appeared first on Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.

The triennial gathering of the Sacred Circle, akin to Te Rūnanganui here in Aotearoa, brings together many of the Indigenous leaders of the Canadian Anglican Church. 

Archdeacon Ngira Simmonds will be in attendance to offer the tautoko of Archbishop Don Tamihere and Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa as The Sacred Circle continues to shape the future of the emerging self-governing institution. 

“I’m really privileged to take the tautoko of Te Pīhopa o Aotearoa who is seen as a senior indigenous figure globally, by that I mean Archbishop Don and the ones before him and express the tautoko we have for them.” 

Archbishop Don Tamihere at Sacred Circle 2023

National Indigenous Archbishop Chris Harper told the Episcopal News Service in May, key topics will include working out the procedural structures needed to put its founding documents, Our Way of Life and the Covenant, into practice. 

Archdeacon Ngira, who is attending his first Sacred Circle, is looking forward once again to seeing how other indigenous Anglicans find and live in their dual identity. 

“I’ve been to a couple of Anglican Indigenous Network hui in the past. At those hui, we’re kind of all coming from across the world, and the meeting lasts a few days. This one has specific focus on how the indigenous people of Turtle Island want to do their thing.” 

Archdeacon Ngira says his mission is to simply be present, observe, and tautoko. 

“It is about forging what Archbishop Don sees as a growing whānaungatanga that Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa will have with key hāhi across the world, and his desire is that our brothers and sisters in Canada will be a relationship that we continue to prioritise.” 

Archdeacon Ngira says indigenous Canadian Anglicans have constantly looked to Aotearoa for inspiration, as Aotearoa has looked to them also. 

“I remember being inspired by so many people globally across te hāhi Mihinare, including from Canada.  

“People like Ginny Doctor, she was a phenomenal theologian; retired Bishop Sydney Black – I knew him then as Archdeacon Sydney and the current Archbishop Chris Harper who I will meet for the first time. 

“I also have lots of friends from the Province of Canada from when I went to the Lambeth Conference as a steward in 2008. I’m looking forward to finally getting up there and meeting people I have admired from a distance.” 

The week-long 12th Sacred Circle gathering will be held in Calgary, Alberta from August 5 (Canada time)   

The post Aotearoa sends Tautoko, Aroha and Whanaungatanga to Sacred Circle in Canada appeared first on Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.

Held at Pākirikiri Marae in Tokomaru Bay on May 3, 2025, by Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Tairāwhiti and Te Rau Theological College, the ordination was deeply moving for her. “It was amazing,” she said. Up to 80 whānau from across the Amorangi gathered to celebrate a joyful occasion of ministry and mission: the ordination of two and the commissioning of seven.

Rev. Dorothy Smith was ordained as a priest, while Wiremu Paenga was ordained as a deacon. Commissioned as Kaikarakia were Grant and Susan Dargie, Tuhoe Huata, Ahi Pere, Larissa Ruru, Eli Tapine, and Kemara Pewhirangi.

The journey to the ceremony reflected the transformation to come. “The weather was miserable in Gisborne, cold and raining, right up to the coffee shop on the way to Tokomaru Bay. Then the fog cleared. You came out of a gloom into a beautiful setting.”

Rev. Dorothy with Archbishop Don

The hospitality stood out. “I loved the people. It reminded me of my marae in Waipatu, Hastings — really old-school, where you look after the manuhiri.”

When Archbishop Don Tamihere and the priests laid hands on her during the service, she described a spiritual release. “It was like everything I didn’t need vanished. God, through these people, gave me a new body, heart and wairua. I was stripped of the unnecessary and lifted and filled with light.”

Laying of hands

As they sang Wairua Tapu Tomo Mai, she felt the depth of the moment. “It was like a chant — kupu by kupu, emotion after emotion left me. For days after, I didn’t even know who I was. I was grounded, but everything felt clean.”

Her faith journey began at Waipatu in Hastings, where she was baptised, confirmed, and attended Sunday school at St Matthew’s Church. She remembers her 1967 confirmation clearly: “150 of us — girls in white dresses and boys in white shirts.”

Her call to ministry came in 1992 after the death of her father. “He came to me in a dream, calling me to the Church. My mother was always a spiritual teacher in our home.”

After returning from Australia in 2002, she began discernment with Ven. Numia Tomoana. In 2010, she was commissioned as a kaikarakia under Archbishop Brown Turei.

Since her ordination, she has presided at services in Waimārama, Hukarere Girls’ College, and Te Aute College. “When I presided at Hukarere, it felt like I was officiating a wedding. After the service, the girls sang Hallelujah — and the whole church was dancing. The building itself felt alive with joy.”

She works in the ministry team at Te Aute College and Hukarere Girls’ College with Rev Zhane Tiopira Tahau and Rev Erice Fairbrother. “I’m not academic — I’m practical and hands-on. Working with Erice, who’s Pākehā, has opened me up to different ways of learning and teaching. I’ve grown a lot.”

Since stepping into the role in February 2025, Smith has faced challenges with openness and humour. “There’ve been some big speed bumps, but everything’s coming good. I just need to keep spreading the word — and believe I can.”

The post “Lifted and Filled with Light”: Rev. Dorothy Smith Reflects on Her Ordination appeared first on Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.

First-Ever Bishop’s Certificates of Recognition

A highlight of this year’s gathering was the presentation of the inaugural Bishop’s Certificates of Recognition, awarded by Bishop Wai Quayle to 13–15 individuals who have offered exceptional support to the Amorangi. It was a first for the Amorangi and a heartfelt acknowledgement of those working faithfully behind the scenes.

New Kaimahi

Gendy Tomson from Tikanga Pākehā is currently supporting students as a shared employee between the Diocese of Wellington and the Amorangi for the new Te Takawai Diploma. Initially with the Amorangi for a sabbatical, Gendy has since returned in a paid support role and is contributing significantly to education and formation.

Jodie Karipa, the new Office Administrator who, despite only being in the role for a few months, successfully helped organise this year’s AGM.

Governance and General Business

The business of the AGM included the election of the full delegation of 25 representatives to Te Rūnanganui, with a caveat allowing for a reduction to 15 if needed. A number of new board members replaced those whose terms ended.

The 2024 financial year accounts were shared in draft form; the final audited reports are expected in June. The Aotearoa Trust presented on the Amorangi’s investments, and Te Waka Huia o Te Amorangi gave its governance update.

Ministry, Mission and Formation Updates

Reports were received from each of the Kāhui Tāne, Kāhui Wāhine, and Kāhui Rangatahi, with updates from the Missioners and Education Team highlighting the growing momentum in ministry formation. Deacons and Kaikarakia were ordained in November 2024, and two more are currently in the pipeline. A coordinated rollout of Deacon, Priest and Kaikarakia training is now underway, supported by the education team, which includes two missioners and student support staff.

It was also noted that Vincent Nuku a returning priest from Tikanga Pākehā, has been re-licensed in the Amorangi by Bishop Wai.

New Hāhi-Iwi Governance Model and Looking Ahead

Support from across the rohe was evident throughout the hui. Rev. Jay Ruka from Taranaki Cathedral, now dual-licensed with both Tikanga Pākehā and Tikanga Māori, was also present. A proposal was approved in principle for a new collaborative arrangement with the Diocese of Taranaki over the governance of St Mary’s in New Plymouth. Four seats would be Hāhi (2 x Upoko and 2 x Diocese of Taranaki) and the remaining four would be iwi seats as part of the parishes ongoing reconciliation with local iwi and hapū.

Looking ahead, the Kāhui Rangatahi Winter Camp is set for July in Aotea/Kurahaupō (Whanganui), bringing together 30 rangatahi from across the Amorangi.

A Spirit of Whanaungatanga

As always, it was the moments of connection between the formalities that made the AGM memorable — the karakia, the waiata, the shared meals, and the kōrero in between. The Amorangi gives thanks for Bardia Matiu, General Manager of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa for attending. The farewell speeches at the close sent everyone home smiling.

The Amorangi gives thanks for all who attended, supported, and served in the preparations and proceedings of this year’s AGM. May the work ahead be guided by aroha, wairua, and shared vision.

The post AGM 2025 – Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Upoko o te Ika appeared first on Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.

“I feel like a puzzle piece finally clicked into place,” shared Rev. Roye. “Personally, I feel kua ea — it’s been fulfilled. It feels right.”

Ordination day at Tomairangi Photo credit: Phil Tumataroa

The ordination was led by Ven. Susan Wallace, a leader Roye deeply admires. “The service flowed so well with Susan. I also got to serve with her at the soft opening of the rebuilt church in Burwood. It felt good to be part of that.” She added: “What a retreat we had before the ordination — four days of karakia and deep reflection with Rev. Zhane Tiopira Tāhau and Ven. Michael Tamihere. They were spellbinding — full of humour, authenticity and te ao Māori wisdom.”

Rev. Roye comes from a rich and diverse heritage, with Croatian, Swedish, Irish, and Portuguese ancestry. Raised by a Pākehā mum from the South Island and a British dad, she now calls Ōtautahi home, where she serves as a Deacon. Her three children whakapapa Māori, and her youngest daughter is enrolled in rumaki reo at high school.

At Oihi Bayby Marsdens Cross for Orongonui training

Rev. Roye’s journey to ordained ministry has been one of calling, courage, and connection. After years of formation studying at Orongonui and strong ties to Holy Sepulchre Church in Auckland, she moved south with her husband, Ratu, embracing the opportunity to reconnect their tamariki with their whakapapa in Kaikōura. “Growing up in Auckland, we didn’t visit much. Now, we’re bringing that connection to life for our children,” she said.

Ordination service  Photo credit: Phil Tumataroa

Her ordination took place in the Tomairangi building at Te Waipounamu Māori Girls’ College, a space rich with significance. “It was amazing to be ordained in that space,” she reflected. “Having Bishop Anne, Bishop Peter, and Archbishop Don Tamihere all there was such a special moment. My husband said it was a sign having all three of them.”

Rev. Roye has long felt the call to ministry, and her path has been shaped by key moments of guidance and support, such as her conversations with Rev. Kerry Davis and the move from Equippers Church to Holy Sepulchre. “I felt called to a reo tikanga church, especially as my daughter was going into rumaki reo. It was ministry for me,” she said. “I wasn’t raised Christian — that came later, in a Samoan church, when the Holy Spirit really touched me.”

Kai following the ordination service

Today, Rev. Roye’s calling extends into Māori chaplaincy in Ōtautahi. “Doing ministry alongside my husband is lovely. We pray together, support our leadership team, and help carry the message,” she said. “It’s not always easy. The harvest is great, but the workers are few.”

In addition to her ministry, Rev. Roye is completing her Te Takawai diploma and continues to support her whānau, both spiritually and practically. “I still work to pay the bills — relieving with preschoolers and supporting whānau. It’s all ministry,” she added.

Looking ahead, Rev. Roye is excited for what 2025 holds. “Straight A’s for my assessments. The hardest part? Getting everyone together for group assignments!” She’s also preparing for a haerenga to the West Coast of the South Island with Ven. Susan Wallace and the team. “I’m excited to learn more about where I’m serving and stay connected.”

Her mokopuna attending rangatahi camp with Kura Raatapu from Holy Sepulchre

Reflecting on those who’ve supported her journey, Rev. Roye shared her admiration for Archbishop Don. “He’s a beautiful leader who understands the human side of ministry. It was a gift to share a meal with him.”

Her mokopuna staring at their maunga in Kaikoura

As she fully steps into this new role, Rev. Roye offered this final reflection: “You’ve got to put some wax on your surfboard — God will take you places. Ride the waves.”

The post Welcome Rev. Roye Lolohea to the Diaconate appeared first on Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.

Among the 15 pilgrims were notable figures such as Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion; Bishop Todd Townshend of the Diocese of Huron, Canada; Canon Sammy Wainaina from Lambeth Palace; and Canon Doug Horner, representing Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez, President of the Compass Rose Society.

The journey across Hawkes Bay, Suva and New Plymouth was a unique chance to connect with communities and build solidarity beyond borders. Since 1994, The Compass Rose Society has funded the work of the Anglican Communion Office and other communion projects.

Hawkes Bay, Aotearoa | February 19-23

The pilgrimage began on the East Coast of New Zealand, in the episcopal unit of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Tairāwhiti, the bishopric and home of Archbishop Don Tamihere. Here, the pilgrims were immersed in the rich traditions of Māori Anglicanism, where faith and culture are inextricably intertwined.

Rev. Merekaraka Te Whitu led daily karakia in te reo Māori and English at Waiapu Cathedral in Napier, consecrated in 1967 by Archbishop Norman Lesser. The then separate Lady Chapel honoured Bishop Frederick Bennett, the first Māori bishop, and Sir Apirana Ngata.

Archbishop Don welcomed guests and spoke about the Te Pouhere constitution and the three Tikanga structure: Tikanga Māori, Tikanga Pākehā, and Tikanga Pasefika, which follows a Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework based on principles of partnership and bicultural development.

He also reflected on the deep whakapono history of Te Tairāwhiti, shaped by Māori Anglican leaders like Sir Paul Reeves, a former Bishop of Waiapu, Governor-General and UN Anglican Observer, dedicated to preserving Māori culture, as evident in the cathedral’s Māori artwork, while embracing Anglican teachings.

In the cathedral, the pilgrims were introduced to the tukutuku panels, intricate Māori woven designs inspired by the Porourangi Poutama pattern, symbolising the pursuit of knowledge and the ascent to heaven.

The group’s visit to Te Aute College, a prestigious Māori Anglican boarding school, was a pivotal moment. Principal Rachel Kingi welcomed the visitors with a pōwhiri inside the wharenui Te Whare o Te Rangi. The pilgrims, many of whom were experiencing Māori customs for the first time, were captivated by the waiata and haka performed by the students.

Rev. Zhane Tiopira Tāhau, the Chaplain for the college, took the pilgrims through the school’s history, and taught them Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi, a song composed by Anglican priest and military chaplain Rev. Canon Wiremu Te Tau Huata, which became an anthem of unity for Māori.

The pilgrimage included a visit to the former site of Hukarere Girls’ College in the Esk Valley, which was devastated by the floods caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. The students were evacuated just hours before a flood rushed the valley and school. One of the members of the Compass Rose Society had personally arranged a donation to the school’s early recovery efforts.

At Omāhu Marae, Bishop Anthony led the pōwhiri, accepting the peace offering set down by the toa before walking on to the marae grounds. The group heard first-hand accounts of the community’s Cyclone Gabrielle recovery efforts. Cut off by flooding, the marae swiftly mobilised resources, delivering food, clothing, and household essentials within days to assist more than 400 whānau. Here, the principles of whakapono were put into action, as the marae became a hub for welfare services, housing displaced survivors and holding daily karakia for the community.

They welcomed the day with karakia at Ātea a Rangi, a star compass in Waitangi Regional Park, as the sun began to rise. Moments later, Piripi Smith, a traditional waka voyager, explained how Māori use traditional celestial navigation to traverse vast distances across the Pacific. Today, Piripi uses Ātea a Rangi to train a new cadre of navigators.

The pilgrims learned to prepare a hāngī under the guidance and home of Ngahiwi and Mere Tomoana, before visiting Deacon Charles, who introduced them to the locals of Pakipaki village.

The final day in Napier ended with a special Eucharist service at Waiapu Cathedral, celebrating female leadership and the unity of two tikanga streams. Rev. Merekaraka Te Whitu and Rev. Ruihana Paenga led the service, Bishop Andrew Hedge from Tikanga Pākehā (Diocese of Waiapu) presided, and Archbishop Don Tamihere from Tikanga Māori delivered the kauhau. In his kauhau, Archbishop Don reflected on how the marae is a place where aroha can be seen and lived out for Te Oranga Ake.

Bishop Todd Townshend, Diocese of Huron, Canada

“Having my own home in mind, surrounded by the weavings that are part of this long Māori history, but then, to be in a Eucharist with two bishops, seated in two bishop’s chairs, speaks volumes. The norm is one bishop per area, you know your boundaries. Yet, two cathedras in a cathedral say so much without a word. Two bishops, friends since theology school, their comfort evident. Two chairs quiet the tension. It’s a different and better way of sharing space, opportunities, truly working together in these cultural streams. Not just for show but lived reality. It has its challenges, but it’s far ahead of where we were.” — Bishop Todd Townshend

 Suva, Fiji | February 24-26

The pilgrims travelled to Fiji to discover climate change initiatives and the unique expression of Anglicanism in Polynesia, guided by Archbishop Sione Ulu’ilakepa and his team.

The pilgrims gathered at the Moana Anglican Services & Teaching Centre (MAST), where a karakia was led by Jordon Tarere, a student from St John the Baptist Theological School in Suva.

In his welcome speech, Archbishop Sione highlighted the importance of dialogue in the Pacific, symbolised by the traditional mats laid down for the Talanoa sessions. This sacred space, where Tala (to proclaim) and Noa (to listen) come together to create an equal space for reflection and action.

He noted how cyclone season used to end in March but now lasts year-round due to climate change. “There are three cyclones circling Fiji right now. This is not a time for lament, but for hope, to live into the challenges that God calls us to and to strengthen our faith in action. My message to this diocese is simple: embrace.”

The group visited the renowned St Christopher’s Home for Children, established in 1968. Sister-in-charge, Sister Kalolaine, led a tour of the new boys’ accommodation, while the girls shared their career aspirations and sang for the visitors.

Fe’iloakitau (Fei) Tevi, climate advocate and interim Climate Commissioner for the province, stressed the urgency of tackling climate change. He helped draft the Pacific Islands Development Summit paper, advocating for a global target to keep warming below 1.5°C. At COP21 in 2015, Pacific leaders warned that exceeding this limit would endanger lives.

1.5°C is based on the environment’s ability to keep pollution below 300 parts per million (ppm). He warned that climate change could destroy up to 80% of coral reefs, threatening vital services for 11 million Pacific people, a region rich in marine life and contributing 57% of global GDP.

Archbishop Sione said, “Our voice alone is not strong enough,” urging the pilgrims to amplify the Pacific’s message. “This is a matter of life and death for us.”

Ms Siva Sunia shared the story of their youth-led resilience programme, Community Integrated Resilience Assessment (CIRA), that maps families’ needs in case of emergency across the four Tongatapu Anglican parishes.

The pilgrims had the chance to sail on the va’a Uto Ni Yalu, accompanied by some of the youngest certified traditional navigators in the world. Some of them have spent 6-8 months on blue water voyages, navigating to destinations such as Hawaii, the Americas, Chile, Easter Island, Rarotonga, and New Zealand. They observed how climate change has altered the coastline in Suva Harbour.

“We only just moved to Canada a few years ago, so we became more familiar with First Nations than we were in the UK. We saw this as an opportunity to learn more and understand what can be done. It’s the generous hospitality that drew us in. At morning prayer yesterday, it was beautifully led by Jordan, a St John’s student.” Jacqui Hance, Secretary of Compass Rose Canada.

New Plymouth | February 27 – March 2

The final stop brought the pilgrims to New Plymouth, where they attended the biennial Te Matatini Kapa Haka festival, one of the largest gatherings of Māori people and culture. Here, they were guests of Sir Selwyn Parata, Chair of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and Te Matatini Festival. The pilgrims immersed themselves in the atmosphere, learning about the songs’ compositions and the contemporary issues they address, while exploring a marketplace brimming with Māori artists and entrepreneurs.

On their final day, the pilgrims attended a Eucharist at Mere Tapu (St. Mary’s), where they learned how the church, once a symbol of colonial oppression for Māori in the 1800s, has since become a place of peace making.

They visited Te Manu Hononga, an onsite educational centre dedicated to Sir Paul Reeves, who has whakapapa to the mana whenua, which offers programmes and events supporting the ongoing process of reconciliation for local hapū Ngāti Te Whiti, Puketapu, Mere Tapu, and the people of New Plymouth.

Heather Jones and the Venerable Richard Jones

“What has stood out for me throughout has been the music. Music has always been an important part of my life. We experienced music everywhere we went – at Te Aute College, morning karakia, cathedral services, the marae visit, karaoke at the hangi, and even after thanking the Te Matatini staff. Communal singing connects the community – body, soul and spirit.” – Heather Jones, Compass Rose Society Member, Ontario, Canada.

The pilgrimage fostered global Anglican connections, showcasing indigenous resilience, faith, and climate action. Pilgrims returned with a renewed commitment to partnership and a vision for a potential indigenous chapter of the Compass Rose Society, amplifying Māori and Pasefika voices within the Anglican Communion.

Following a successful pilgrimage, Archbishop Don and Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez have confirmed the establishment of an Indigenous Chapter within the Compass Rose Society, which has been a long time in the making. This is a meaningful step forward and opens new pathways for growth and connection across our Hāhi.

The post Compass Rose Society Pilgrimage Across Our Province appeared first on Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.

Based in Napier, Larissa works full-time as a whānau support worker with Roopu A Iwi Trust, where she helps facilitate hui and walk alongside whānau through challenging times. “My mahi gave me confidence I didn’t know I had,” she says. “It helped me to even consider stepping into ministry — but I still asked for a year to really think about it.” That year turned into wānanga, weekly service, and finding herself slowly, humbly drawn to the front.

Larissa with her new classmates

Larissa grew up in a whānau where church life was normal. “We were always attached to the church. When I’m around the nannies and papas, it’s just what we do.” She’s also been surrounded by ministry, both Mihinare and Rātana, and always admired the strength of wāhine in those spaces. “What really inspired me were the Morehu wāhine — always awhi-ing, always serving.”

She started driving for the Kahui Wāhine group in Ahuriri. “Next thing I know, I’m wearing the scarf and badge, going to conferences, and signing up for Bible study. Then I’m going to wānanga, signed up to be a Kaikarakia, and thinking, ‘Wait… how did I get here?’” she laughs. “I didn’t think I was ready for that space, but I loved the learning and being around people of faith.”

Group photo with her classmates and Rev. Michael Tamihere (left front), Tumuaki of Te Rau Theological College and teacher of the Liturgy block course

Larissa had tried Bible study through correspondence before, but the format didn’t suit her. “It just didn’t click. But learning through wānanga, delivered in a Māori way — I’m quite enjoying that.” She appreciates how Te Takawai merges theology with te ao Māori. “I thought we’d just study books of the Bible one by one. But it’s different — it weaves in our own worldviews and mātauranga. That makes it real.”

Her first wānanga left a lasting impression. “It was beautiful. Delivered for us. I don’t always get those feelings — but I felt really special.” That wānanga also confirmed what she’d been slowly discerning: that she was exactly where she was meant to be. “There might be doubts in my head, but not about the kaupapa. Just my own self-doubt.”

“My main role is to be at the back. I’m very comfortable working in the back like the marae. It’s scary to move from the back to the front,” she says.

But through wānanga, helping out at services, and being mentored by her Aunty — who she watches set up the altar — she’s growing her confidence. “I like reading scripture now. Just doing little jobs here and there. It’s part of learning.”

One of her assignments involved choosing a himene, waiata or mōteatea and connecting it to scripture. She chose a whānau waiata and was excited to share it back with her whānau — another example of how this study is deeply personal and relational.

The learning is also practical, grounded in real life. “One of the tutors said, ‘We can pray for you to get home safely, but not for you to drive 140km the whole way.’ It made me laugh — but it stuck with me. We have to meet God halfway.”

Larissa describes the whole experience as affirming, encouraging, and even a little luxurious. “We’re so well looked after — our kai, our accommodation, our course fees — we’re very spoilt!”

Living in a homestead by the river, across from Kohupātiki Marae, Larissa is grounded in her whenua and her faith. She’s excited (and nervous) for commissioning, knowing that it marks not an ending, but a beginning. “That’s my biggest thing right now. Once I’m commissioned, that’s when my ministry really starts.”

And while she still loves being in the background, she’s learning to step into the front — not just for herself, but for her people.

The post Larissa Ruru: Finding Her Voice in Te Takawai appeared first on Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.

His great-grandmother, Punia Hotene, helped bring the Hāhi Mihinare to their rohe in 1957 and was a pillar of the Church on their papakāinga. “That day, a lot of boxes were ticked – the marae, future plans, the priesthood. All part of sustaining the life of our people. We’ve always lived that way through Kīngitanga – to serve where and when we’re needed. Being on the pae means being in service, always.”

Born in Morrinsville, he spent his high school years in Australia and later raised his five children within Brisbane’s close-knit Māori community during the 80s and 90s — until life took an unexpected turn. A work accident became a spiritual awakening — a recurring dream during his rehabilitation stirred something deep. “I couldn’t speak properly in the dream,” he said. “But I was standing at the marae, trying to say something. Again and again, it came.”

That dream became the calling.

Nineteen years in Australia had left him missing his taha Māori. “Everyone was happy, but without purpose, something was missing,” he recalled. With the support from his mum and uncle, the beloved Rev. Haki Wirihana — who was 86yrs when Henare gave two years’ notice of his intention to return — he came home to Aotearoa in 2013.

“When I did come home, there was a real sense of fulfilment. The reo was calling me back, and the Hāhi was always there, steady and unwavering. Following my Uncle Haki gave me the encouragement I needed to get back into the swing of things – the marae life, the call of the pae,” he says.

“There’s nothing better than jumping into the hot seat. He showed me everything we do at the marae. You get a bird’s-eye view from a minister’s perspective – it opens your eyes to a whole different side of service. I was working with prayer books, getting familiar between the red pages.”

By 2014, he was licenced as a Kaikarakia, and he never looked back.

His journey through theology began formally at St John’s Theological College in 2019, where he studied towards a Bachelor of Theology. Living outside te ao Māori was challenging but affirming too. He made friends from all walks of life, each with a shared love for God.

He was placed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Auckland for four years. Throughout COVID, Henare and the Holy Sepulchre team started online services for whānau, especially for those stuck overseas. “We had people tuning in from all over the world — some up at 4am to be part of it. Ka aroha.” It was the kind of ministry that blended old-school aroha with new-school tech, even if it meant accidently blowing up a few laptops along the way.

Henare is now the only licenced Anglican minister in Ngāti Hauā, serving his two Ngāti Werewere marae, including Rukumoana, the first parliament for the Kīngitanga built between 1915 – 1917.

Called home by Tumuaki Anaru Thompson, he started getting used to the flow of tangihanga, how it begins and ends. “We start from day one – sometimes earlier at the hospital – and it can run for three to five days. There’s a lot involved. When one marae is busy, another is too.”

“I’m licenced to officiate within the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki, and work closely with Rev. Valerie Riches. It’s good to be part of that space, especially where understanding tangihanga isn’t common. I’ve come to appreciate how much mahi goes on in Tikanga Pākehā too. Still, it would be a privilege to one day have a solid base – stay in one place, follow a set calendar, and run with that for the year.”

“When I became ordained, my Uncle Haki – Dad’s oldest brother – felt he could finally retire. My return lifted a weight off his shoulders. It meant our Mihinare legacy would carry on, still alive for our people.”

“He said he’d waited a long time for this day. Spoke of our tūpuna and how proud they’d be to see the mahi passed to one of our own.”

“There was sadness for those who had gone, but also peace knowing the light hadn’t gone out. Uncle had feared no one would pick it up. I told him, “It’s ok – God will make a way.”

The post Rev. Henare Waaka: A Shepherd Called Home appeared first on Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.

“It’s what we do at home, when people hear you’re there for one event over the busy Christmas period [as a priest], you’re often invited to lead services, give blessings, and visit whānau on the fly. We spend most of our time providing pastoral support and keeping everyone informed about the kaupapa happening within the community. It’s busy, but I love being with our people,” says Rev. Merekaraka.

A packed St Mary’s Church in Tikitiki

A Packed Church and Joyful Christenings

On Sunday, December 29th, St Mary’s Church in Tikitiki was brimming with life as up to 80 people gathered for ten christenings. The congregation included both young and old, representing two branches of the Koia whānau.

Rev. Merekaraka delivered an interactive kauhau after the christenings, connecting scripture to the lives of the tamariki and their whānau. She shared the story of Jesus at the temple, invited the tamariki to introduce themselves, and emphasised the significance of baptism and the parents’ commitment to this sacred sacrament.

While in Gisborne for the Kaa whānau reunion, Rev. Nerissa was invited by Rev. Merekaraka to lead the service.

Beyond the Church Walls

The three days were filled with various events for Rev. Merekaraka and Rev. Nerissa, including a mihi whakatau at the Waiapu RSA for a kawe mate, care package deliveries to pakeke, and a pōwhiri at Ōhinewaiapu Marae for the return of ashes home. Rev. Nerissa coordinated these activities while balancing her responsibilities as a mother and spiritual leader for her whānau.

Rev. Nerissa with her two-year-old daughter

Ministry in Motion

For Rev. Nerissa, who travelled from Waipounamu with her two-year-old child, the experience was more than just a church service. Her visit to Te Tairawhiti was part of her journey to deepen her ministry and support her whānau during significant events. Her moemoeā is to return home permanently.

The weekend showcased the collaborative spirit of the Hui Amorangi of Te Tairāwhiti and Te Waipounamu, with Rev. Nerissa embracing a leadership role alongside Rev. Merekaraka providing tikanga guidance and support.

The post Christenings and Whānau Connections in the Waiapu Valley appeared first on Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.