The retirement of Pa Henare Tate and the launching of a new website were high on the agenda for Te Runanga o te Hahi Katorika ki Aotearoa, the New Zealand Catholic Māori Council’s recent meeting at Tuhono Marae, Porirua.
The runanga also established a Te Reo Māori Reference Group, and hosted Caritas and manuhiri from Papua New Guinea.
After many years of service Pa Henare is stepping down from the runanga. He nui nga mihi ki a ia. He was instrumental in setting it up and has been active for 20 years in addressing Māori Katorika issues.
There are currently 10 Māori priests who are eligible to fill Pa Henare’s rekereke sandals. Current runanga members are:
Most Rev Barry Jones DD—Bishops’ Conference deputy
Fr Henare Tate—Kahui o te Ariki (now retired)
Sr Tui Cadigan RSM—Kahui o te Ariki
Areti Metuamate—secretary and Rangatahi delegate
Sue Pirini— Auckland Diocese
Bobby Newson—Auckland Diocese
Margaret Maynard—Diocese of Hamilton
Mate Tangitu—Diocese of Hamilton
Danny Karatea-Goddard JP—Palmerston North Diocese
Henare Ngaia Snr—Palmerston North Diocese
Jaana Kahu—Wellington Archdiocese
Rangi Hau—Wellington Archdiocese
Kareen Rahui—Christchurch Diocese
Kape Hogan—Christchurch Diocese
Wendy Priemus—Dunedin Diocese
Caroline Hosie Leaf—Dunedin Diocese
On the same weekend Bishop Barry Jones launched the runanga website. The website has karakia (prayers), himene (hymns), pictures, Māori Catholic and other runanga information. We were honoured to have Caritas members present and visitors from Papua New Guinea. So check into www.catholic.māori.nz.
The runanga is in the process of forming a Te Reo Māori Reference Group that will be convened as a subcommittee to determine processes governing tikanga around Māori translations within the church and to ensure the quality of reo Māori translations in Karakia and Tuhituhi Tapu. Members are Pa Henare Tate, Sue Pirini, Robert Newson, Pa Mikaere Ryan and Danny Karatea-Goddard.
The next runanga meeting is planned for Christchurch 8 and 9 February. Nau mai, haere mai. Welcome!