The election of a Pīhopa is no mere formality; it is a sacred act of discernment, a communal search for God’s will. Guided by prayer, wairuatanga, and the quiet insistence of Te Wairua Tapu, Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke now begins four months of reflection to choose its next bishop. Under guidelines adopted in 2025, the Electoral College will convene not to fill a role, but to affirm a lifelong vocation: a shepherd called to teach, to lead, and to serve.
The timeline will be as follows (*subject to change should circumstances require).
1 July 2026 Formal Notice of Vacancy
Formal Notice of Vacancy is issued by The Most Reverend Dr Donald Tamihere, Pīhopa o Aotearoa. An Arrangements Committee will soon be appointed. This committee will be tasked with managing the logistics of the electoral process and generally assisting the Bishop of Aotearoa in administering the process.
20 July- 09 August 2026 Call to Time of Prayer and Reflection
Call to time of prayer and reflection. This will last three weeks and includes the Sundays 26th July, 2nd and 9th of August. Each week, karakia, scripture readings or reflections that relate to Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke its spiritual task of discerning a pīhopa will be made available. These will be distributed throughout Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke, and will be available on the Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa website.
27 July 2026 Nomination and Screening Forms Available
Nomination and screening forms will be made available on the Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa website. A notable change in the process requires nominations be made by local or regional groupings within the Hui Amorangi. i.e. pāriha, pastorates, church vestries or kōmiti tiaki. This ensures the potential candidates have a strong connection to Te Manawa o Te Wheke formed either by whakapapa or other strong ties to the Hui Amorangi.
The nominated candidates will require screening, in accordance with the guidelines adopted by Te Rūnanganui in 2025, some of the required screening will come at a cost which will be met by the candidate and/or the nominating entity.
9am 10 August 2026 Formal Call for Nominations
A Formal Call for Nominations will be issued. While nomination and screening forms will be made available prior to this date, nominations will not be accepted before this time.
5pm 19 August 2026 Nominations Close
Nominations Close with a hard deadline of 5pm. Nominations must be submitted within the timeframe allowed and must include all the information requested. Nominations will not be accepted after 5pm 19th August 2026.
20 August – 10 September 2026 Vetting and Screening
A three-week Vetting and Screening Process takes place. This will be undertaken by a committee overseen by the Bishop of Aotearoa; it could include members of the Arrangements Committee and/or a sub-committee of appropriate people across the Three-Tikanga of the hāhi but independent of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke.
It must be noted that this process DOES NOT replace the role of the Electoral College in the election of the next Pīhopa ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke. Once completed, nominating entities will be informed of the outcome.
11 September 2026 Candidates Announced
Confirmed Candidates are announced publicly. These will be the candidates presented to the Electoral College when it convenes on 2-3 October 2026. This begins the next round of collective discernment within the Hui Amorangi. Information about the candidates will be made available. Any objections or challenges during this time may be submitted.
Electoral College membership is confirmed.
17-18 April 2026 Electoral College Convenes
Electoral College is convened. This will provide for the Electoral College to thoughtfully and prayerfully discern the confirmed nominees and elect a new Pīhopa ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke.
Ordination and Installation (date is subject to confirmation)
Ordination / Installation of new Pīhopa ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke (TBC)