For more than 180 years, Te Hāhi Mihinare has invested in the education and formation of Māori through its Kura Mihinare. While eight Anglican schools once served Māori communities throughout Aotearoa, only two remain: Te Aute College and Hukarere Māori Girls’ College in Hawke’s Bay.
Today, both schools are experiencing a renewed season of flourishing as their connection with the Church is strengthened and a new generation of rangatahi engage more deeply with faith, leadership and service.
Central to this renewal has been the appointment of the Venerable Zhane Tiopira-Tāhau as Archdeacon of Ngā Kura Mihinare by Archbishop Don Tamihere. Serving as chaplain to both schools, Ven. Zhane provides leadership that connects the life of the kura directly with the mission and ministry of the wider Church.
Working alongside Te Aute principal Rachel Kiingi and Hukarere principal Evelyn Leef, as well as local chaplaincy teams and Hui Amorangi ki Te Tairāwhiti, Ven. Zhane has helped implement the Te Oranga Ake framework, strengthening the spiritual, pastoral and cultural life of both schools.
Rachel Kiingi, in her dual role as Te Aute Director of Boarding and Hinauri Tiopira Tāhau as Director of Boarding at Hukarere have also been instrumental in creating a 24/7 Mihinare living environment in both kura.
The results are already evident.
Both kura now hold daily worship, a significant change from recent years when services had reduced to only a few each week. The beginning and end of each term are marked by a combined Eucharistic celebration, reinforcing the central place of faith within school life.
Through initiatives such as Prayer and Pizza evenings, Wairua Wednesdays and active chapel programmes, students are embracing opportunities for discipleship and leadership. The Chapel team at Te Aute has blossomed from just 3 students in 2025 to 35 in 2026, Hukarere boasts a Chapel team of 25. A phenomenal size considering both schools have fewer than 100 students.
The schools are also becoming increasingly visible within the life of Te Hāhi Mihinare. Students regularly participate in Hui Amorangi and Rūnanganui gatherings, ordinations and episcopal installations, and accompanying Archbishop Don to events such as Koroneihana. Hukarere students frequently lead hīmene, creeds and other parts of worship at significant Church events, while students from both schools contribute readings, prayers and Bible studies. A number of students have signalled a desire to one day enter the priesthood.
Te Aute Trust Board Director of Operations, Dr. Steph Rotarangi has contributed significantly to renewing and strengthening the governance and operations of both kura, promoting the schools’ special Mihinare character and implementing Archbishop Don’s vision.
Alongside this spiritual renewal, work is underway to strengthen school culture through restorative approaches that reflect the values of Te Oranga Ake. Supported by Te Aute Trust Board Director of OperationsDr Steph Rotarangi, this work seeks to foster healthy relationships between students and staff and create environments where young people can thrive.
The strengthened relationship between the schools and the Church was also evident at the recent national secondary schools kapa haka competition. Te Aute College captivated audiences with a poi performance based on the Poi Chant from A New Zealand Prayer Book, composed by the late Archdeacon Sir Kingi Ihaka. Their mōteatea honoured the wider whānau of Kura Mihinare that have contributed so much to both Church and nation.
Deputy Principal Chance Vlaardingerbroek has been a driving force behind the reemergence of Te Aute in kapa haka, returning to the national stage for the first time eight years.
That contribution is substantial. The Kura Mihinare tradition produced generations of leaders, including four former Pīhopa o Aotearoa, the Rt Rev. Susan Wallace, Sir Apirana Ngata, Sir Mason Durie, Sir Eddie Taihākurei Durie, Bishop Frederick Bennett, Bishop Wiremu Pānapa, Bishop Manuhuia Bennett and Bishop Brown Tūrei. Hukarere alumna Rev. Puti Murray became the first Māori woman ordained priest in Aotearoa.
The story of Kura Mihinare is not only one of a proud past. It is also a story of renewed purpose. As Te Aute and Hukarere continue to strengthen their Anglican character and connection to the wider Church, they are once again forming young leaders who will serve both Te Hāhi Mihinare and Aotearoa for generations to come.