ELECTORAL COLLEGE ANNOUNCEMENTS
This page contains all official announcements issued during the Electoral College process for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu in 2026. For more information about the Electoral College process, visit the Electoral College page.
Bishop-elect Announced
LATEST UPDATE
30 April 2026
Bishop-elect Announced for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu
With thanksgiving and praise, Archbishops Don Tamihere, Sione Ulu’ilakepa and Justin Duckworth announce the election of The Venerable Susan Wallace (Kai Tahu, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Wai) as the new Bishop of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu.
Archdeacon Susan’s election marks a moment of deep significance for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu, for Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, and for the wider life of Te Hāhi Mihinare. She will become the first wahine Māori to serve as Pīhopa for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu, and only the second wahine Māori to serve as a Pīhopa in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
Candidate Profiles
The Venerable Hannah Pomare
Short bio
Ven. Hannah Pomare is of Ngāi Tahu, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāi Tai, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa and Ngāti Hine descent.
Read full bio →
Full Biography
Ven. Hannah was licensed as a Kaikarakia in 1998, ordained as a deacon in 2000 and priested in 2001 by Bishop Ben Te Haara into Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Taitokerau. She has held ministry positions including Priest in Charge roles in Te Taitokerau, Te Waipounamu and Australia.
Ven. Hannah graduated from St John’s Theological College in 2001 with a Bachelor of Theology and also holds a Diploma in Business (Māori Development), Certificates in Management for Health Professionals, Māori Studies, Leadership Development, Ministry Supervision and an Advanced Certificate in Chaplaincy.
With an extensive background in social services, working with community and whānau, church and iwi health organisations in Te Taitokerau, Te Waipounamu and Australia, Ven. Hannah has developed a range of skills and experience from the grassroots to manangement and governance levels.
Ven. Hannah has served Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Taitokerau and Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu at General Synod, and Te Rūnanganui, and Te Waipounamu on Te Rūnanga Whāiti.
Archdeacon Hannah has also served on the Boards of Trustees of schools, Māori Public Health and Iwi organisations.
The Venerable Susan Wallace
Short bio
Ven. Susan Wallace is of Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Apa, Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Whātua, Te Roroa, Ngāti Wairere, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngāti Maniapoto descent.
Read full bio →
Full Biography
Ven. Susan Wallace has a long record of service to Te Hāhi Mihinare, with decades of trusted leadership across the Church, iwi, education, and community in Te Waipounamu. Her ministry is grounded in whakapapa, tikanga, and faithful stewardship, and has been shaped through more than forty years of lay service prior to ordination.
In 2023, Ven. Susan was commissioned as Archdeacon and Poutokomanawa (Vicar General) of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu. She was ordained deacon in March 2024 and priest in September of the same year.
Ven. Susan holds a Leaders Way Certificate from Yale Divinity School and a Bachelor of Applied Management in Māori Organisational Leadership from Te Hokainui | Otago Polytechnic. Her professional background includes extensive senior management and governance experience, including fifteen years as Tumuaki (General Manager) of Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio.
Ven. Susan currently serves as Non-Episcopal Commissary of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu, as Te Manahautū Amorangi and Educational Director, and as part of Te Kāhui Minita o Te Hēpara Pai.
Candidates formally confirmed
Candidates Formally Confirmed for Te Pīhopa o Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu
10 April 2026
Following the completion of all vetting and screening requirements, we are pleased to confirm that the following candidates have moved from provisional status to formally confirmed candidates, and will stand before the Electoral College for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu:
The Venerable Hannah Pomare
The Venerable Susan Wallace
The Electoral College Process
The Electoral College will gather from Friday 17 April through Saturday 18 April 2026 at Te Tōimairangi, Christchurch.
This is a sacred process of discernment, with the Electoral College gathering to pray together and seek God’s guidance in choosing the next Bishop of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu.
Important to note: The Electoral College is a closed gathering, open only to Electoral College members.
Following the Electoral College’s decision, the outcome will be presented to the House of Bishops and members of Te Hīnota Whānui General Synod for sanctioning. The decision of the Electoral College will remain confidential until this process is completed.
Join Us in Prayer
We ask for your prayers for the candidates and their whānau, as well as for all the members of the Electoral College.
Karakia
E te Ariki Tapu, Mana hoki,
ka whanga nei tō Hāhi i runga i te tūmanako me te whakapono ki tāu
kōwhiringa hei pīhopa hōu mā mātou.
Ka tuku whakawhetai i āu homaitanga katoa i roto i ngā whakapaparanga.
Tēnā, tangohia atu ō mātou ake hiahia, ō mātou ake wehi, kia ngātahi te
inoi:
‘Kia meatia tāu e pai ai’.
Homai ki te Hīnota Whiriwhiri te ngākau whakaiti, te māramatanga, me te atawhai, nei rā kia areare ngā taringa, kia puare te ngākau; mō tōu Rangatiratanga te take.
Āmine.
Candidates announced
Candidates Announced for Te Pīhopa o Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu
Two candidates have been chosen to stand before the Electoral College on 17–18 April 2026
Following the Electoral College process approved by Te Rūnanganui o Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, the following have been duly nominated by recognised rohe as candidates for the Electoral College:
The Venerable Hannah Pomare
The Venerable Susan Wallace
These candidates are confirmed as provisionally approved pending completion of all vetting and screening requirements.
The Electoral College will take place on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April at Te Tōimairangi, Christchurch. More details about the Electoral College will be announced in due course.
Meet the Candidates
View the candidate profiles below to learn about their backgrounds and ministry experience.
We hold these candidates and the communities of Te Waipounamu in our prayers as we approach the Electoral College gathering.
Nomination Process (Closed)
Nomination Process (Closed)
Archbishop Don Tamihere, Commissary for the electoral college, issued a formal call for nominations, inviting Te Waipounamu into a moment of solemn responsibility, thanksgiving and joy.
All nominations were required to be submitted using the official forms and meet the stated requirements.
Who Could Nominate
Nominations were made collectively through recognised local and regional groupings within Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu, with evidence of shared discernment and agreement. The groupings were:
- Whakatū
- Te Arapai (Blenheim)
- Motueka
- Ōtautahi
- Te Toko Toru Tapu (Arowhenua)
- Ōtepoti
- Murihiku
Requirements
Nominees were required to begin and complete the vetting and screening process, with proof of payment before nominations closed. All required documentation had to be uploaded in full.
Timeline
Nominations were open from 9am Monday 23 February 2026 and closed 5pm Wednesday 4 March 2026.
Call for Nominations Closed
Call for Nominations Closed
The formal call for nominations for Te Pīhopa o Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu closed at 5pm Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
Nominees are currently undergoing vetting and screening. Candidates who successfully complete all requirements will be announced on Friday, 27 March 2026.
Please read the formal call for nominations from Archbishop Don for context and background information.