The Runanga Whaiti (Standing Committee) of Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa meeting on 2 May has unanimously agreed to establish a Commission on Episcopal Leadership. The aim of the Commission will be to strengthen and uphold ‘Te Oranga Ake’ (holistic human flourishing) through episcopal ministry within the Māori Anglican Church.

Te Pīhopa o Aotearoa, Archbishop Don Tamihere has welcomed the work of the new Commission, saying it follows a long whakapapa of Mihinare hopes and dreams for pīhopa Māori, and a long struggle to achieve mana Motuhake (self-determination).

“Over the past decades we have struggled to uphold our relationships and to always live our values to their fullest. Now it is time to bring together a wānanga and find a new path to fulfill Te Oranga Ake (holistic human flourishing) so our pīhopa can flourish into their calling and we as Te Hāhi Mihinare can carry out Gods mission to build the Kingdom.”

The Māori Anglican Church has been led by an indigenous bishop since 1928, when the Rt Rev Frederick Bennett was ordained as Pīhopa o Aotearoa (Bishop of Aotearoa) more than 100 years after Te Hāhi Mihinare came into existence. 74 years later, in 2004 the Most Rev Whakahuihui Vercoe became the first Pīhopa o Aotearoa to gain the title of Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Today Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa maintains five episcopal units or Hui Amorangi across geographical areas Te Taitokerau, (Auckland and Northland), Te Manawa o te Wheke (North Island central region), Te Tairāwhiti (North Island East Coast region) Te Upoko o Te Ika (Lower North Island region) and Te Waipounamu (South Island).

The Commission on Episcopal Leadership in Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa will seek ways to fortify kotahitanga – building unity in Christ across Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, and to ensure the mana and tapu of pīhopa and their whānau is upheld at all times.

The Commission will also acknowledge and work with the vital place of mātauranga Mihinare, acknowledging that Pīhopa Māori are kaitiaki(guardians) of Māori Anglican knowledge and ways of knowing. 

Runanga Whaiti discussed the Commission’s terms of reference at length, including questions put by Bishop Waitohiariki Quayle on episcopal status and participation, and input from Pierre Henare on the essential skills and qualities required for episcopal service in Te Hāhi Mihinare. 

Rev Merekaraka Te Whitu encouraged Commissioners to bring the voices and perspectives of rangatahi (youth and young adults) into the conversations.

Te Rūnanga Whāiti will now establish a ten-member Commission on Episcopal Leadership with five members appointed by Te Pīhopa o Aotearoa based on their expertise across key areas of the Commission’s work, and five members appointed by ngā Hui Amorangi.

Rev Ruihana Paenga will manage the Commission’s work to ensure consultation with as many Te Hāhi whānau as possible over its three-year work plan, which will include reports on progress to Te Rūnanganui in Te Matau-a-Māui September-October 2023, to Te Hīnota Whānui the General Synod in 2024 and concluding with recommendations to Te Rūnanganui in 2025.

Rev Ruihana says that as part of its work the Commission will consider the findings of The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care to identify ways to enhance the wellbeing of Te Hāhi Mihinare and strengthen its operational ability.