From 2–4 March 2025, the Anglican Seminary Deans Network convened at Hoani Tapu - St John’s Theological College in Auckland for its bi-annual in-person meeting. The gathering brought together college principals, deans, and directors of theological education from across East Asia and Oceania—including Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Polynesia, alongside representatives from the Episcopal Church, USPG, and the Anglican Communion Office.

St John’s College provided an inspiring model of what a vision of indigenous-led theological education could look like. With Māori leadership at the helm, a significant proportion of indigenous students, and a culture deeply engaged with its Māori, Polynesian and Pākehā identities, the college embodies many of the principles discussed throughout the meeting. 

Hosted by The Reverend Dr Hirini Kaa, the Manukura (Principal) of St John’s College, the meeting was centred on the theme ‘Indigenising Anglican Theological Education’. Participants explored how theological curricula, pedagogy and institutional life could be embedded in the outlooks and cultures of indigenous peoples across the Anglican Communion to shape theological education.

During the meeting, Dr Hirini urged participants to theologise from their specific locations rather than relying on abstract frameworks developed elsewhere. A deep connection to place and indigenous identity, he argued, was essential for the renewal of the Church.

The delegates also discussed how theological institutions must create exploratory spaces and not implement a uniform approach to indigenisation. Creative responses that incorporate local knowledge and language take on additional challenges in the context of Papua New Guinea where over 800 languages are spoken, or Australia, where there is a vast number of indigenous tribal groups, languages and cultural traditions.

Hoani Tapu St John's College Manutaki Akoranga (Academic Director) Dr Andrew Picard shared how indigenous paradigms might shape the delivery of theological education,

"The essential changes we have made to redesign the New Zealand Diploma of Christian Studies, and develop Te Takawai, is centring the learning in mātauranga Māori, in partnership with the Hui Amorangi. We are creating an environment where students can co-create a theological voice that is informed by global scholarship and grounded in the whenua."

Speaking about the meeting, Reverend Canon Stephen Spencer from the Anglican Communion Office reflected to ACNS: 

‘A recurring theme of our meeting was the need for theological colleges to disrupt colonial structures and attitudes that persist in Anglican education. Indigenisation is not just about content, but also about ensuring that indigenous staff and students shape the life of the institution. Colleges must especially acknowledge the indigenous peoples on whose land they are situated and work to redress past injustices.’

During the itinerary, participants visited significant Māori historic sites in Auckland, and learned how Māori communities embraced Christianity before the arrival of full-scale European colonisation in the 1840s. And later, how Māori communities suffered displacement, marginalisation, and the loss of their land under colonial rule.

The meeting concluded with a reflection on the power of indigenous epistemology and cultural construction, particularly undertaken through indigenous arts, dress, textiles, oratory, music and dance. 

The gathering heard how these indigenous knowledge systems can play a transformative role in theological institutions, shaping how students and staff understand themselves, the land where they stand, their communities and their mission. 

As the Anglican Seminary Deans return to their respective institutions, the call to reshape theological education through an indigenous lens will remain with them as they work to shape the future of the Church across the Communion.

Find out more about St John’s Theological College here