39 graduates have graduated form Orongonui – Te Kura Mihingare this 16 January, as the Māori ministry education kura grows the reach of Mihingare ministry skills across the north. 

Orongonui – Te Kura Mihingare began 2026 with strong momentum, growing enrolments, with courses focused on Scripture, Bible study leadership in Māori contexts, preaching and theology with a focus on grassroots ministry formation across Te Tai Tokerau. Orongonui staff have worked through Christmas and New Year to prepare for 2026, which is shaping up to be one of the ministry education school's busiest years.  

A total of 53 students began studies on 16 January across the levels at Orongonui: Tau 1, Tau 2, and Tau 3, with more than 30 students entering Tau 1 alone. Numbers are now at full capacity at both the Hui Amorangi Centre in Tāmaki-makau-rau and Hui Raumati at Kamo. 

“These are challenges, but very good ones to have,” says Orongonui lecturer Ven Dr John Payne. 

At the heart of Orongonui’s work is a clear mission to begin ministry with whānau. Recruitment starts locally, with the goal of placing a prayer book and Bible in every home and introducing people to Bible study on their own marae.

While it's a simple concept, many participants are encountering structured Bible study for the first time, an experience John has observed is both surprising and deeply transformative for many.
"This approach places the Word of God directly into the hands of the people.” 

Minita whānau are supported into Orongonui’s ministry pathway, moving through theological formation and towards ordination. Tau 1 focuses on theological grounding and licensing as kaikōrero and kaikarakia. Tau 2 prepares students for ordination to the diaconate, and Tau 3 supports ordination to the priesthood. Over the past five years alone, 80 people have been ordained to the diaconate and priesthood, reflecting a wider revival across Te Tai Tokerau. 

Orongonui itself was founded 14 years ago in 2013 following the closure of its predecessor in the previous year.

Archdeacon Payne is proud of the continuous improvement approach built into the character of the College, which aims to respond to its people's needs.

"Orongonui continues to refine its mātauranga annually, strengthening both academic depth and pastoral formation." he said. 

Looking ahead, Orongonui is developing a stronger indigenous theological identity, expanding post graduate pathways, and planning an international hikoi to explore indigenous preaching, storytelling, and worship.

Through it all, the kaupapa remains clear, equipping people to carry the Word of God back to their whānau, marae, and communities.

NB:Adapted from an original story from Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa: tpoa.nz