Easter weekend in the Waiapu valley was a fruitful celebration of the resurrection of Karaiti Ihu, and the affirmation of faith and whakapapa.
With 14 baptisms and 38 confirmations across two locations on Easter Sunday, the ministry team of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Tairāwhiti were joyously busy.
The Easter Sunday service
“To see so many of our people standing together, affirming their faith was moving and beautiful,” says Ven. Merekaraka Te Whitu, Archdeacon of Horouta.
Archbishop Don Tamihere, recently returned from the installation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, delivered a kauhau whakapapa that reinforced baptism and confirmation sharing a connection with the past and with the global Anglican church.
Archbishop Don Tamihere officiating the confirmations
Read Archbishop Don’s Easter Reflection →
Archbishop Don Tamihere shared his personal Easter reflection on Facebook
Read Archbishop Don’s Easter Reflection on Facebook →
He spent much of his childhood in Kākāriki, near Ruatoria. There, he reflected on the enduring relationship that small community has with its whakapapa Rākaihoea and whakapono, including the famed carving whare wānanga, Iwirākau through to Sir Apirana Ngata, who revitalised Māori arts through the hāhi and was pivotal in establishing Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa.
“He named leaders such as the Reverend Pineamine Tamahori of Rākaihoea, Kākāriki, and Archdeacon Anaru Takurua, reminding us that our faith is not distant. It is inherited, lived, and passed on — grounded firmly in both te ao Māori and the Gospel of Christ.
He encouraged us to live a resurrected life, just as Christ intended — a life transformed, active, and hopeful.”
Whānau gather at Rākaihoea, Kākāriki, during Easter weekend
The services, held at St Mary’s Church, Tikitiki, and at Rākaihoea Marae involved ministry teams from the three northern pariha of Te Tairāwhiti – Kawakawa, Waiapu and Hikurangi.
Wānanga in session at Rākaihoea whare, Kākāriki
“And we also acknowledge with gratitude our kaikarakia from Te Pariha o Tokomaru who were in attendance. A collective effort that strengthened the kaupapa.
“To all our whānau who brought their tamariki mokopuna to be baptised, and to all the candidates who stood to be confirmed — thank you. You brought warmth into both whare, it was such a joy to see all your smiling faces.”
Archdeacon Merekaraka Te Whitu leads the congregation in song
“To our tumau, the ones who serve faithfully behind the scenes and quietly elevate the kaupapa through kai & waiata, thank you all very much.”
Whānau seated in the beautifully carved interior of Meri Kuia
The congregation at Meri Kuia
Ven. Merekaraka describes both gatherings as a beautiful, unique reminder that people of Ngāti Porou are strong in faith, rich in whakapapa and alive in Christ.