The Most Reverend Dr Don Tamihere and the Right Reverend Andrew Hedge are pleased to announce the appointment of the Venerable Ruihana Paenga (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu) as the Dean-designate of Waiapu Cathedral.
This appointment reflects a partnership between the Diocese of Waiapu and Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, founded upon a shared whakapapa and a common commitment to Te Oranga Ake, the flourishing of all peoples.
Archbishop Don Tamihere said, “Archdeacon Ruihana represents the very best of leadership within Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa. She is an astute governor and leader in both hāhi and iwi spaces, a gifted minister, and more importantly, has deep aroha and compassion for whānau and community.”
Bishop Andrew Hedge said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming Ruihana to the new role. The blend of our two Tikanga in working with the parish community makes for an exciting awakening across the Church, with female leadership, a renewed embrace of our Māori whakapapa, and a commitment to working together into the fullness of our three Tikanga and Te Tiriti, as the Gospel envisioned.”
As Archdeacon of Leadership for Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and Archdeacon of Te Tairāwhiti, Ruihana has helped shape the life of the Church through a range of synodical governance roles, strategic leadership, wāhine and rangatahi ministry, and community development. She has also represented the Church internationally, including at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW63).
The Diocese of Waiapu was formed in 1858 and is named for the region within which the Gospel was first preached by Māori evangelists in 1834. Waiapu later became the host and supporting diocese for the first Bishop of Aotearoa in 1928, and subsequently for the Bishopric of Aotearoa in 1978. Following the adoption of the 1992 Constitution, Te Pouhere, which rearranged the Anglican Church into three Tikanga or cultural streams, the name Waiapu was gifted by the Māori Anglican Church to remain with the Diocese as a reminder of the shared whakapapa between Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and the Diocese of Waiapu.
The Cathedral itself is unique in housing two cathedrae, one for the Bishop of Waiapu and one for Te Pīhopa o Aotearoa. A single cathedral that serves as a spiritual home for both Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and the Diocese of Waiapu.
Dean-designate Ruihana Paenga will be installed at Waiapu Cathedral at 11am on Saturday 1st August 2026. Upon her installation she will become The Very Reverend Ruihana Paenga, Dean of Waiapu Cathedral.