Announcement from Archbishop Don and Bishop Andrew - The Venerable Ruihana Paenga, Dean-designate of Waiapu Cathedral

E te whānau a te Karaiti o te whare karakia nui o Waiapu,

Greetings and peace to you in Christ.

We have great joy in announcing together the appointment of the Venerable Ruihana Paenga as the next Dean of Waiapu Cathedral. We believe that The Ven Ruihana Paenga will serve the Church well as the Dean of Waiapu Cathedral, and help us to live into the vision of Te Oranga Ake for Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and Waiapu together.

Our appointment has been supported by the work of Parish Nominators, Diocesan Nominators and Standing Committee, along with your support as a parish at our recent Parish Consultation.

We have an exciting future ahead of us together and we look forward to the beginning of Ruihana’s ministry among us in this role.

A service of installation for Ruihana as Dean will take place at 11:00am on Saturday 1st August 2026.

Please mark that in your diary and prepare to come and support and celebrate this new chapter in our life together.

The Venerable Dr Deborah Broome will continue to minister at Waiapu Cathedral as an associate to the Dean along with her roles of Archdeacon and Ministry Educator. This will help to complement and support stipendiary ministry in the parish.

During the month of July, you may have an opportunity to meet Ruihana as she settles into the role and spends time in orientation to the Cathedral Parish and the Diocese.

We encourage you to pray for Ruihana and her whānau during this time of transition into this role, and for the exciting future that lays before us.

With our prayerful support and encouragement.

The Rt Rev’d Andrew Hedge The Most Rev’d Dr Don Tamihere

Bishop of Waiapu Bishop of Te Tairāwhiti, Bishop of Aotearoa

Archbishop and Primate of Aotearoa, New Zealand

and Polynesia