Update from Bishop Andrew

Greetings all,

Celebrating Karuwhā / Henry Williams’ arrival to Tauranga Moana

This time last week we were celebrating the arrival of Henry Williams to Tauranga Moana in 1826. Henry arrived at the invitation of kaumātua from Tauranga Moana and travelled with the support of waka from Nga Puhi with whanaunga ties to Tauranga Moana. Williams stayed in Tauranga Moana for four days receiving the manaakitanga of Otamataha Pā, trading for supplies for the mission and schools around Paihia. Appropriately the gathering for our commemorations were at the invitation and with support from Otamataha Trust who opened the day with a mihimihi on the site of the pā. Around 100 people were there for the early morning gathering which saw greetings presented from Ngāti Kawa from Te Tii Marae, Ngāti Haua, Archbishop Sir David Moxon, then followed the morning karakia service. It was a pleasure to lead that service alongside minita from Te Manawa o Te Wheke and Waiapu, a diaglot service bringing together the beauty and voice of the languages of the mission and our church in prayer, scripture and song. A parakuihi followed the service provided by NZCMS through the skilful artisan hands and creativity of Rev’d Carl Tinnion who recreated a modern take on loaves and fishes. 

The day continued with several informal hui between myself, Archbishop David and members of Otamataha Trust as we continue to work together in response to redress of the past. The programme of the day then included a presentation by Dr Samuel Carpenter in which he detailed the relationship between Williams and Ngāpuhi, and with rangatira of Tauranga Moana. 

The evening symposium “Waitangi: A Treaty of Hope” was very well supported with around 500 people gathering at Holy Trinity Tauranga. The evening included a welcome by Kaumatua Tamati Tata and included several presentations of addresses on the theme of Te Tiriti as a treaty of hope. Included in the presentations were two young students who had entered a competition on this theme for kura around the Bay of Plenty, and the evening was supported with waiata from the Bethlehem College kapa haka ropu. The gathering also heard from Dr Alistair Reese and the evening concluded with a wonderful address by Justice Sir Joe Williams. There was much to take away from the day as inspiration for our journey as a church and nation to fulfil the greatest hopes set within the relationships we share in Aotearoa New Zealand.

St John @ Waiapu Cathedral

On Sunday I had the pleasure of leading a service at the Cathedral to welcome and honour the work of Hato Hone St John as they celebrated the Church Parade in memory of St John the Baptist. All around the country and throughout the world there will have been services to honour the work of St John. The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, known locally as Hato Hone St John, has its roots in the ministry of Benedictine monks led by Brother Gerard who established an order in Jerusalem around 1080 CE. The ministry they offered to any person in Jerusalem at the time was done in a manner that reflected their desire to serve the sick and the poor as though they were serving Christ. With humility and grace the monks served those in need and inspired generations who followed to serve in a like manner. Over near 950 years the Order has evolved to the multidisciplinary service that we know today. It was an honour to celebrate with the team locally who serve under the white cross of St John here in Hawke’s Bay. 

The Rev'd Jan Tarrant (St John Chaplain), chats with Rev'd Dorothy and Marie following the service

Members of Hato Hone St John gathering for the service

Mission visit to Papua New Guinea

On Sunday this week I will return to Papua New Guinea this time with Mark and Phoebe from Anglican Missions for around two and half weeks. We will be spending time in the Highlands at a village called Movi, and in Oro Province at Oro Bay near Popondetta. In both places our focus will be on supporting the Anglican Church in their three-fold focus to Preach, to Teach, to Heal. Our attention will be directed to continuing to build trust in the relationships we hold there, and to address the practical missional needs for reliable sources of power and water filtration for the Anglican Health Services centres in both places. The services run currently with a desperate need for clean running water - can you imagine running a health clinic without clean water? Unfortunately that is the reality over much of PNG, and so our missional focus is to support the installation of reliable systems to improve health outcomes. We will also be working with the communities to look at disaster resilience, and spending time with the parish and community leaders to encourage the mission of the local parishes. The visit is supported by the H&W Williams Memorial Trust, Anglican Missions and Waiapu through the Bishopric. PNG is a challenging place to visit and our concerns for safety and security are more heightened this year due to recent uprisings of gang activities. Your prayers for our mission, travel and security would be greatly appreciated by all three of us. I look forward to trying to share some highlights and content on my Facebook page while I’m away. If you don’t already follow this, now could be an opportunity to check it out: Bishop Andrew Hedge

Dean of Waiapu Cathedral

Preparation is underway to welcome and install the Ven Ruihana Paenga as Dean of Waiapu Cathedral. A service will be held on Saturday 1 August at 11am at Waiapu Cathedral. Invitations will be published soon but in the meantime I encourage you to mark this day in your calendar and plan to join us for what will be a very special occasion as Archbishop Don and I install Ruihana as the first Māori woman Dean of Waiapu and Te Pīhopatanga, as we step into the future realising the fullness of the relationship of Waiapu with Te Pīhopatanga. All are welcome to this special day. 

Take care all, 

+Andrew