Students and staff of the revamped Diploma in Christian Studies, offered through Te Takawai, a collaboration between Hoani Tapu St John’s Theological College and four Hui Amorangi, are celebrating an early success after the first semester.
A wānanga (conference) held in Rotorua marked the end of the semester, allowing students, faculty, and support staff to reflect on their progress and look ahead to the next semester.
The redesigned diploma integrates mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) with mātauranga Mihinare (Anglican knowledge), offering a unique Aotearoa New Zealand perspective on traditional theological education.
Hoani Tapu Manukura, Rev. Dr Hirini Kaa instigated Te Takawai with a vision of blending mātauranga Mihinare with mātauranga Māori while reinforcing the existing knowledge resources in the Hui Amorangi with the expertise at St Johns Theological College.
With 83 students enrolled at the start of the year, provisional results suggest a retention rate of 78%, a promising sign for the programme’s future.
Dr. Wayne Te Kaawa, a lecturer at Hoani Tapu, credits the Te Takawai delivery model as a key strength.
Offered at sites in Tāmaki Makaurau, Rotorua, Tūranganuiakiwa, Te Papaioea, and Ōtautahi, it brings theological education directly to various communities.
“In many ways, it’s about decentralising the church. Making theological education accessible to the people,” he explains.
Central to this model is the whakapapa (ancestry) of whakapono (faith) in Aotearoa, a revelation that excites Dr. Te Kaawa when students discover their own rich history linking the two.
Maria Tutahi, a kaikarakia at Hemi Tapu in Hamilton, reflects on the positive impact of the course.
“I enjoy the unity, the manaakitanga, and the friendships we’ve created,” she shares.
“I thought I knew everything about the church, but I was wrong. There’s so much more to learn.”
Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Upoko o te Ika’s Student Support lead, Gendy Thompson, highlights how even peripheral staff members have benefited from the theological education.
“Being able to look at The Creed – Te Whakapono and line by line looking at that and understanding it in relation to what we believe about God, about Jesus about Wairua Tapu and unpacking that,” she says.
Mereana Moko from Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Manawa o te Wheke notes how Te Takawai has created a safe and supportive learning environment, with notable transformations in participants, including a long-serving minister in his 70s.
“For most people, they’d say he’s too old to change. And for the most part, he’s been stereotyped like that for the last 10 years. So, he came defensive and resistant, but just seeing that transformation, that is one of the magic things we get out of Te Takawai.” Moko said.
Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Upoko o te Ika manager, Carl Wairau, speaks to the significance of the programme, noting that it aligns well with their ongoing three-year program.
He’s seen students overcome various learning challenges, with many of them returning to formal education after a long time.
“And the results that have come back have been amazing. Even though they think that they’re struggling really hard, their results are proving otherwise,” Wairau says, adding that the collaborative nature of the cross-Amorangi network has inspired students to continue working together beyond the classroom.
Te Takawai’s blend of Māori and Anglican theological traditions, alongside its flexible learning model, has already proven to be a resounding success in its first semester, offering a transformative experience for both students and staff.