An Occasion of Some Significance...
They're putting the final touches in place for an event in Gisborne this weekend that promises to be an occasion of real
significance for Ngati Porou, Whanau a Apanui, for Iwi Maori, Te Pihopatanga and the Anglican Church.
This Saturday morning, at Te Poho o Rawiri, the Marae that stands in the shadow of Titirangi, Bishop William Brown Turei
will be installed as the 5th Pihopa o Aotearoa.
Bishop Brown will lead Tikanga Maori, the Maori face of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Many from throughout the motu – as well as a full contingent of Anglican bishops from throughout New Zealand and
Polynesia – will converge on the marae for his installation.
Bishop Turei has Ngati Porou and Whanau a Apanui whakapapa, and as you might expect, this means Saturday's installation
is cause for rejoicing for many.
Api Mahuika, who is chairman of Te Runanga o Ngati Porou, says the iwi "has a great sense of pride that one of our own
has been chosen as the Pihopa o Aotearoa."
He describes Bishop Brown as "a humble man, and a good listener" – and he says those qualities "augur well, not just for
Ngati Porou, but for all iwi."
Rather than imposing "generic solutions," Api Mahuika believes Bishop Brown will be keen to hear regional perceptions of
how to tackle the challenges – such as reaching young people – that face the church.
"People can bring their own perspectives on the church to him, and he will listen."
In the Easter edition of the Anglican magazine Taonga, Bishop Brown said he welcomed the opportunity "to share my
leadership and delegate to those who are appropriate and capable...
"There are outstanding leaders throughout the Pihopatanga, young and old, who have their strengths and skills and should
be called on for the Pihopatanga's sake.
"No one person can embody everything that the Pihopatanga needs. But at the right time and place, God will have the
right person. If we share leadership we can achieve a lot."
ends.