For The Venerable Ruihana Paenga, Easter is a reminder of why we do what we do. And for those of us called to ordained ministry, she says, it’s also a good time to come back to the heart of things.
“It’s always good to be reminded of your calling to serve,” she reflects. “To recommit yourself to those promises you made when you were ordained.”
She joined around 30 priests and deacons at the Chrism service in Waerenga-a-Hika with Bishop Andrew Hedge and Archbishop Don Tamihere, reaffirming their vows. The service took place at the site of the first Anglican Synod, a place full of significance. “There’s no canon that says you must,” she says, “but the prayer book gives us the space. These things don’t become tikanga unless we start doing them. So we do.”
“There’s a line in the service—‘Do you renew your commitment to your ministry and your pastoral relationship with your Bishop?’ And we respond, ‘Yes, I do.’ That moment reminds you why you said yes in the first place.”
Bishop Andrew, she says, is an exemplar intercessor, praying from the ngakau. He spoke about how Easter is the most significant event in the Christian calendar. The death and resurrection of Christ are the foundation of our faith — Christ died and rose again. In that belief, we stand with hundreds of millions of Christians around the world.
She attended the Maundy Thursday service at Pou Herenga Waka in Napier, led by Rev. Marina Kawhe. “The foot washing and the Last Supper point to something much deeper — an act of reverence and humility,” she reflected. “Washing feet is more than a symbolic act; it’s about fully offering yourself in service to God and others. It’s a moment of preparation, knowing the crucifixion is close. As we break bread and share in communion, we’re reminded that the very next day, Christ is crucified on Good Friday.”
She encourages clergy to fully pour themselves into the services. “If you’re leading karakia, it’s about creating space for people to feel the Spirit move through the liturgy. Just like a pōwhiri structure, people are guided to know what’s happening without directions. That’s what liturgy is. When it’s happening live you must adjust to the people and environmental factors. If you’re aware of your surroundings and how to do things, you can adjust the Kaupapa. The best time for practice is during wānanga.”
“That means being prepared. Being present. When the liturgy is done well, it holds power. It becomes a living expression of faith. It’s a special gift many of us called to God carry.”
She speaks from experience. “For my first ten years, all I knew was 476 [page 476 of the prayer book] — the Eucharist service. I didn’t even know about Maundy Thursday or Holy Week until I got into ministry properly. That’s why formation matters. Before ordination and afterwards.”
For her, the mentors made all the difference — Rev. Pane Kawhia, Rev. Tipuna Tangaere, Rev. Dot Manual, and many others across Ngāti Porou. “They gave their time and mātauranga to guide me. That kind of gift sticks with you. And it reminds you to pass it on.”
And it’s not about perfection, she says — just about care. “You don’t have to get it all right. But you do have to care. Read. Prepare. Understand what you’re leading. Because people will feel it — when it’s genuine, when it’s guided by wairua.”
She believes in building up the basics, then growing from there. “Start with what you’ve got. Build a worshipping community that wants more. Teach your people. And when the time is right, add to it.”
She explains that most Māori churches follow a simple, low-church style of worship — no incense, high altar, or large teams. Often, one priest is the entire ministry team.
She believes the greatest gift handed down from mihinare tīpuna is the high-quality te reo Māori. Competence in te reo and tikanga, and knowing how to apply it in different places, is essential for those newly ordained.
Still, the heart of Easter remains the same: Christ’s sacrifice, love, and the hope of the resurrection. That’s what we hold onto, whether or not we have a procession or full set of services. It often depends on the community.
Easter is the biggest moment in the Christian calendar, she says, but the beauty is, it doesn’t have to end there. “You don’t need to wait until Easter to renew your hope. Every Sunday, when we take part in communion, we’re reminded — this is why we’re Christian. Christ sacrificed. Christ rose again. And we’re part of that story.”
And she always brings it back to the ones around her. “I spent Easter Saturday with my mum and my son. We went to the pools, had Easter eggs. But I made sure to remind him — Easter’s not just about chocolate. It’s about love. About sharing. And about the message of Christ.”