Around 400 people gathered at Papaiouru Marae, Ohinemutu and St Faith's Anglican Church in Rotorua on the eve of Holy Week to honour Bishop Ngarahu Katene and celebrate his forty years of ministry as a priest and 19 years as a bishop in Te Hāhi Mihinare. 

Bishop Ngarahu Katene, who has served as the Bishop of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke since 2006, began his ministry as a part-time minita-a-iwi, non-stipendiary priest serving his Te Arawa people, while still working as a bus mechanic and garage supervisor.

Bishop Rahu was installed as Archdeacon of Te Tai Hauāuru in 2000 and consecrated as Bishop in 2006. His leadership has been defined by pastoral care and community engagement, from ANZAC Day services to training and providing spiritual leadership for clergy.

He also served as Chaplain to the Māori community at Te Wairua Tapu, the Māori Anglican Church in Redfern, Sydney. As his episcopal leadership of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke comes to an end, he looks forward to cherishing time with his wife, Kāmana, as well as his whānau and mokopuna.

Back in 1990 when he began in fulltime ministry, it was Bishop Manuhuia Bennett who first encouraged and resourced Ngarahu at St Faith's in Rotorua. 

"Bishop Manuhuia was a tremendous advocate for me, helping me in every possible way. [When I look back] I find him to be that person that gave me the hope and the ability to carry on and become a bishop."

Speakers at Saturday's event in Ohinemutu pointed to Bishop Ngarahu's many contributions, highlighting his work for the Tainui people and his own Te Arawa people, as well as serving māta waka and the wider indigenous Anglican church overseas. 

Ngira Simmonds who represented the Kiingitanga at the event, spoke of Bishop Ngarahu’s time serving as Missioner in Ngaruawahia, just before he became bishop, bringing thanks from Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po and the wider Kiingitanga.

"For those six years Ngarahu was an incredible priest here. He was constantly present at Tūrangawaewae Marae and endeared himself to many kaumaatua. As bishop, his service to the Kiingitanga continued, such was his influence that his ten years anniversary of episcopal ordination was held at Tūrangawaewae."

"He led the funeral for Te Atairangikaahu and was present for the Coronation of Kiingi Tuheitia. His service to the Kiingitanga has been immensely important and appreciated." 

Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa Chair, Sir Selwyn Parata spoke of Bishop Ngarahu's standing in the line of illustrious former bishops who served Te Arawa and Manawa o Te Wheke, including Bishop Wiremu Panapa, Bishop Frederick Bennett, Bishop Manuhuia Bennett, Archbishop Whakahuihui Vercoe and Bishop Waiohau Te Haara to name a few. 

Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu also picked up on the theme of Bishop Ngarahu standing in the tradition of strong leadership coming out of Te Arawa. 

"He was a priest here at St Faiths, and it's a place that shapes bishops, he comes from strong Mihinare families, and to minister among them you have to be able to perform to a very high standard, because the standards here are very high." 

Rev Canon Minnie Pouwhare, who leads the Māori Anglican Church in Murupara, said that as Bishop in Manawa o Te Wheke, Ngarahu Katene has been a passionate advocate for the faith and has instilled that same drive in the people he leads.

"As a leader he is very firm, but also a humble man. He has that beautiful wairua, that taha wairua – the spiritual side of him. He has that fire burning in him."

"Whenever I announced that the bishop was coming out to visit our rohe, you could see the people's faces light up. Straight away they are talking about preparing the best for him, they just love him."

Canon Minnie has appreciated Bishop Ngarahu's attention to teaching over the years, and his commitment to ensuring his people knew their atuatanga, mihinaretanga and awhi whānau. (theology, ministry and social services). 

Rev Vianney Douglas, who serves as priest for Tauranga Moana agreed.

"He's had a vision for some time around our Taapapa centre for education, of having a place that supports our missionary teams, staff and laypeople, so the new centre that opened last week is one of his legacies."

Rev Vianney says Bishop Ngarahu's gentle style has also guided his clergy by example. She remembered how back in 2018, he was there when the Anglican Church made a formal apology for its role in the alienation of land from Tauranga Moana iwi. 

"Bishop Ngarahu fronted up and really humbled himself before the iwi. Humility has been a feature of his ministry."

Ron McGough worked closely with Bishop Ngarahu as his Hui Amorangi administrator for nine years between 2009-18. He observed his bishop as a steady and quiet man, reliable on the job, who could nonetheless rally a crowd – especially in song. 

"He's brought the music. A lot of people would speak of him as the singing bishop, through music he made things enjoyable and united us." 

Last Saturday's celebrations confirmed Bishop Ngarahu's musical influence over the last two decades, particularly his love of choral music, as powerful waiata rose from the home benches to back the speeches, not only in unity, but also in four-part harmony. 

Te Manawa o Te Wheke whānau ministries lead Hineauripo Waenga said that Bishop Ngarahu had brought her family together and kept their connection with the church strong through his relationship with her grandfather the late Rev Maui Akuhata.

"We've all remained in the church because of his love, his aroha, his manaakitanga."

Te Aka tamariki ministry leader Sophie Anania said that Bishop Ngarahu's ministry has been all about people: bringing people together and building kotahitanga. 

"And his passion has always been for mission, so it's great to see Anglican Missions here today."

Former Anglican Missions director, now Vicar General of Waiapu, Rev Dr Robert Kereopa recalled a vivid image of Bishop Ngarahu from a mission visit with indigenous Anglicans in Canada's "ten thousand lakes" district.

Near the remote village of Kingfisher Lake, Bishop Ngarahu was teaching at a ministry school with the Oji-Cree people when one day he went out onto the lake to preach standing in a boat – just like Jesus did.

"His ministry has been about going to where the people are and sharing the Gospel of peace with them. That's what that image says to me."

After some serious health challenges and a year of remarkable recovery, Bishop Rahu has decided to step down to prioritise his wellbeing. On Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025, Bishop Rahu concluded his position as Bishop of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke.

Archbishop Don Tamihere will now serve as the Commissary for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Manawa o Te Wheke, working alongside Vicar General Archdeacon Bettina Maxwell.