Last week I had the privilege of hosting a three tikanga House of Bishops meeting in Whakatū Nelson. The photo above shows some of us – from the left: Archbishop Justin Duckworth, Bishop Ana Fletcher (Wellington), Bishop Anne van Gend (Dunedin), myself and Bishop Gabriel Sharma (Fiji).
Over two beautifully sunny days, we gathered for prayer, conversation, and shared discernment. Outside the formal sessions, we enjoyed dinner together at the waterfront, and Bishop Justin and I even managed a run along the Maitai River. These simple moments of fellowship reminded me how vital it is for our bishops to meet kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face), especially within the unique structure of our church.
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia is distinctive in the Anglican Communion for its intentional three tikanga constitution. Tikanga Māori, Tikanga Pākehā, and Tikanga Pasifika each hold authority and identity within the life of the church. It’s a commitment to honouring diverse groups of people who make up the body of Christ.
The three tikanga model recognises the beauty of the way the gospel takes root in different cultures. Māori, Pākehā, and Pasifika communities bring distinct histories, languages, and spiritual insights. Rather than flattening these differences, our church treats them as taonga – gifts that enrich our common life. This structure also reflects a commitment to justice as we come out from under the long shadow of colonisation.
In such a context, the regular gathering of bishops becomes essential. These meetings allow our leaders to listen deeply to one another’s realities, to understand the pressures and joys of each tikanga, and to discern together how God is calling the church forward in God’s mission. The relational work done in these hui – over meals, in prayer, during walks or runs along rivers – builds trust and sustains leadership.
When bishops gather, they model mutual respect, humility, and a shared commitment to the church’s mission. In doing so, they offer a compelling model of encouragement through mutual appreciation. By choosing to do mahi (work) together across real and significant diversity they act as a witness to servant-hearted leadership of Jesus in putting aside selfish ambition to value others and attending not only to their own concerns but to the interests of others.
Our three tikanga structure is a living expression of the gospel in this land and ocean. Regular episcopal gatherings help ensure this expression remains vibrant, relational, and faithful for generations to come.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Last week I had the privilege of hosting a three tikanga House of Bishops meeting in Whakatū Nelson. The photo above shows some of us – from the left: Archbishop Justin Duckworth, Bishop Ana Fletcher (Wellington), Bishop Anne van Gend (Dunedin), myself and Bishop Gabriel Sharma (Fiji).
Over two beautifully sunny days, we gathered for prayer, conversation, and shared discernment. Outside the formal sessions, we enjoyed dinner together at the waterfront, and Bishop Justin and I even managed a run along the Maitai River. These simple moments of fellowship reminded me how vital it is for our bishops to meet kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face), especially within the unique structure of our church.
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia is distinctive in the Anglican Communion for its intentional three tikanga constitution. Tikanga Māori, Tikanga Pākehā, and Tikanga Pasifika each hold authority and identity within the life of the church. It’s a commitment to honouring diverse groups of people who make up the body of Christ.
The three tikanga model recognises the beauty of the way the gospel takes root in different cultures. Māori, Pākehā, and Pasifika communities bring distinct histories, languages, and spiritual insights. Rather than flattening these differences, our church treats them as taonga – gifts that enrich our common life. This structure also reflects a commitment to justice as we come out from under the long shadow of colonisation.
In such a context, the regular gathering of bishops becomes essential. These meetings allow our leaders to listen deeply to one another’s realities, to understand the pressures and joys of each tikanga, and to discern together how God is calling the church forward in God’s mission. The relational work done in these hui – over meals, in prayer, during walks or runs along rivers – builds trust and sustains leadership.
When bishops gather, they model mutual respect, humility, and a shared commitment to the church’s mission. In doing so, they offer a compelling model of encouragement through mutual appreciation. By choosing to do mahi (work) together across real and significant diversity they act as a witness to servant-hearted leadership of Jesus in putting aside selfish ambition to value others and attending not only to their own concerns but to the interests of others.
Our three tikanga structure is a living expression of the gospel in this land and ocean. Regular episcopal gatherings help ensure this expression remains vibrant, relational, and faithful for generations to come.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
