Levi Torrey from Te Hui Amorangi ki te Upoko o Te Ika is leading a growing and dynamic movement of rangatahi ministry across the rohe, rooted in the values of kotahitanga, te reo me ōna tikanga Māori, pukengatanga, whakapono and whanaungatanga.
As a licenced Kaikarakia and a Deacon-in-training, Levi is passionate about creating spaces where young people can explore their faith, grow in confidence, and connect with the wider whānau of the church.
In July, Levi will lead the Kāhui Rangatahi Winter Camp in Aotea/Kurahaupō, Whanganui. Around 30 rangatahi from across the Amorangi will gather from Friday to Sunday to connect, learn, and worship together.
Levi Torrey
“This is what Kahui Rangatahi was for me growing up,” says Levi. “Getting to visit different rohe, meet local whānau and priests — it opened my eyes to how big and beautiful our faith community is.”
The camps, held four times a year in different rohe, are free for rangatahi to attend. Levi handles the communications and administration himself, from designing content to organising logistics. But the heart of the work, he says, is relationship building.
“It’s about creating a space where rangatahi feel safe, connected, and open to receiving and exploring the Word.”
The camps are more than just fun weekends away. They are transformative. Levi shares how some young participants arrive shy and unsure, reluctant to leave their parents, but leave more confident, having led karakia or participated in Sunday services.
“I’ve seen kids grow over the years. There’s a set of twins who started coming when they were nine — now they’re thirteen, full of confidence, growing in faith, and able to talk about what they’re learning. It’s amazing to watch.”
At last year’s winter camp, Rev. Dr Rangi Nicholson shared kōrero about how the Gospel came to Rangiātea through Te Rauparaha, the Ngāti Toa chief who helped build Rangiātea Church. “It’s so important for our rangatahi to hear these stories — to know the whakapapa of our faith and how it connects with their own.”
Outside the camps, Levi runs three core programmes:
- Rangatahi Space at St Michael’s Church, Palmerston North – A growing after-school programme with around 15 participants, focused on scripture, baking, and creative learning. “We explore the kupu o te rā — a word from scripture — and connect it to everyday life through discussion and action. Like ‘aroha’ — we ask, how have you shown love this week? Who has shown it to you?”
- Tamariki Space at Rangiātea Church, Ōtaki – Held monthly on Sundays, this whānau-focused gathering has evolved over three years, drawing tamariki and their caregivers into the life of the church. “It’s like a whānau mission,” says Levi. “And we’re looking forward to taking part in the Abbey Youth Conference this August.”
- New Rangatahi Space in Whanganui – Launching this Sunday, the new group will join Sunday service. Two rangatahi will read scripture in the service for the first time. “Through these small steps, we open the door to deeper connection and bring them into the camp whānau.” Following the service they’ll begin with team-building activities and go-karts.
Levi is intentional about crafting content for different age groups, knowing the importance of meeting rangatahi where they are. From baking sessions to scripture games, the goal is always to bring the Bible to life in a way that makes sense for them.
As numbers grow, so does the impact. Through Kahui Rangatahi, Levi’s focus on discipleship and whakapapa brings to life the vision of Te Oranga Ake o te Iwi, o te Ao.