The Primates of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia have announced the election of Archdeacon Susan Wallace as Bishop of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu.

Bishop-elect Susan Wallace, who is currently Vicar General and Manahautū of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu, will become the first woman to lead Te Hui Amorangi ki te Waipounamu and only the second Indigenous woman to be elected bishop in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. 

Pīhopa o Aotearoa, Archbishop Don Tamihere joined Archbishop Sione Uluilakepa and Archbishop Justin Duckworth to give thanks and praise for Bishop-elect Susan's election and highlighted what she uniquely brings to the role. 

"Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Waipounamu has discerned and made a profound choice in Archdeacon Susan as their Bishop-elect." he said today. 

"Susan has vast experience as a leader and governor among both iwi and the Church, nationally and internationally. She is beloved among her people and has proven to be a person of great faith, servanthood, wisdom and grace.  

"Moreover, Susan is a good person with a good heart, and has the humility and temperament required to be a uniting force among Church and Iwi."  

Archbishop Don reflected on the ways Bishop-elect Susan's gifts will help her navigate the future for Te Hāhi Mihinare.

"The task of a modern Māori Bishop has changed from what it was 20 years ago, or even 10 years ago." he said.

"Susan is well-suited and prepared not only to meet the unique challenges of today’s mission and ministry, but to set the foundations for the future flourishing of our Hāhi in the decades to come." 

"I am thrilled at her appointment, historic as it is for Māori and indigenous women in our global communion, and I look forward to learning from her and serving alongside her."  

Te Hui Amorangi ki te Waipounamu nominated the Ven. Susan Wallace as their new bishop last week, following two days of prayer and discernment at an electoral college held between 17 -18 April at Te Tōimairangi Māori Anglican Centre in Otautahi Christchurch.

Over the last nine years Susan has served in church leadership as Manahautū – General Manager and Education Director for the Māori Anglican Church in the South Island, working to build up the Amorangi's educational, governance and organisational foundations to foster a healthy, mission-focused culture grounded in discipleship, service and Te Oranga Ake (human flourishing).

Bishop-elect Susan will become the fourth female bishop serving in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia at present, joining Bishop Waitohiariki Quayle (Bishop of Te Hui Amorangi ki te Upoko o Te Ika), Bishop Anashuya Fletcher (Asst. Bishop of Wellington) and Bishop Anne van Gend (Bishop of Dunedin).

Archdeacon Susan is already well-known in this Church for her leadership on a number of high-level commissions and governing bodies. Over the last decade she has undertaken leadership and governance roles, representing her Amorangi and Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa at Te Rūnanganui, Te Rūnanga Whāiti and on Te Hīnota Whānui - the General Synod. For five years she has chaired the National Kāhui Wāhine Executive Committee and served for nine years on this Church's higher educational taskforce, Te Kotahitanga Commission, including six years as its Chair. 

Before moving to Ōtautahi to support the Māori Anglican Church across the South Island, Susan served her iwi (tribe) for 15 years as Tumuaki of Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio, supporting the hapū in cultural revitalisation and infrastructure development, while improving organisation and governance to support their goals. 

Susan brings her wide experience of te ao Māori into the episcopal role and strong relationships formed through years of positive working across nationwide Māori organisations, including the Māori Women's Welfare League.    

Susan brings wide iwi connections to her new role, not only through her colleagues in governance in many fields, but through the ties of her own whakapapa which anchor her from far north to deep south.  

Susan has iwi links with Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Whātua, and Te Roroa in the north through her mother the Ven. Ngahere Mere Wallace (née Paniora) and to Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Apa, Waitaha, Kāti Mamoe, and Kai Tahu through her father, the late Bishop of Te Waipounamu, the Rt Rev Richard Wallace.

For Susan, her call to episcopal ministry is a continuation of her lifelong vocation to live out her faith in Christ and her faith in her people, by using her talents to lead them towards a brighter, more hopeful future. 

"My calling has always been to serve — shaped by whakapapa that grounds me, whakapono that guides me, and a lifelong commitment to Te Hāhi Mihinare." she said.

"At the heart of my ministry is a commitment to nurturing emerging leaders, supporting clergy, communities and whānau, upholding kotahitanga, activating Te Oranga Ake, and ensuring our Church remains courageous, compassionate and relevant — faithful to God, responsive to the needs of our people, and resolute in the pursuit of justice."

Bishop-elect Susan will lead Te Hāhi Mihinare across the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand where Māori Anglican churches serve in communities across Whakatū (Nelson) Te Arapai, Motueka, Ōtautahi (Christchurch), Te Toko Toru Tapu at Arowhenua, Ōtepoti (Dunedin) and Murihiku(Invercargill). 

“I see the shape of our mission from God through Te Oranga Ake — a commitment to flourishing life for all'." Bishop-elect Susan said after the announcement today. 

"Looking ahead I want to see a hāhi that is united and thriving — grounded and deeply connected to the people and places where it serves, and known in our communities not only as a source of aroha and compassion, but of hope”