Governing council of Hoani Tapu - St John's Theological College, Te Kaunihera presented a positive and forward-facing report to General Synod in Nuku'alofa this year, sharing its story over the last two years.

Te Kaunihera's report highlighted the College's strengthened and broadened ministry formation programmes and increased pastoral care, demonstrating the College's implementation of recommendations from the 2021 Dean-Martin review. 

Hoani Tapu has made real progress towards it goals during this period, despite weathering major changes to leadership in mid 2025 when its new Manukura the Rev Dr Hirini Kaa stepped back from his role, before resigning in October 2025. 

Dr Andrew Picard, who was then Hoani Tapu's Academic Director, jumped in to steady the St John's waka in the role of Acting Manukura, supported by Te Rau College Tumuaki Archdeacon Michael Tamihere and the wider College team. 

Dr Andrew Picard was on hand to represent the College's leadership team in Nuku'alofa, joined by Te Kaunihera members: Mele Tuilotolava, Rev Dr Clare Barrie and Geremy Hema, alongside Khylee Quince, who presented the report on behalf of Te Kaunihera Chair Matanuku Mahuika.

"Hoani Tapu has been through a challenging period for the staff, faculty, students and the wider Hoani Tapu community." Khylee Quince reported to Te Hīnota Whānui in Tonga.

"However, it has emerged well ... Everyone associated with Hoani Tapu has worked hard over an extended period to bring stability to the community and to lay the groundwork for a reset of the College’s community life and educational offerings." she said. 

Khylee Quince shared how Hoani Tapu's reset has come through the success of its new Diploma in Christian Studies programme (NZDipCS), Te Takawai, which runs in conjunction with four Hui Amorangi. Courses employ a range of in-person wānanga, haerenga, and online teaching which offer the course over a two-year period. In 2025-2026, Te Takawai's 76 current students have learned through in wānanga and formation in each Hui Amorangi, building up mātauranga Mihinare and experience guided by the insights of leaders in each rohe.

As a result of the changed course structure, Māori student numbers have gone from 5% of the cohort in 2024, to 74% in 2026, representing a major shift in providing for Mihinare ministry formation. 

Te Takawai is now on track for at least forty five students to graduate with its Christian Studies Diploma by the end of 2026. "This represents an increase of over 500% from 2024." Khylee Quince told Te Hīnota Whānui this August. 

Te Toi Amorangi has been another vital development for the College, led by Archdeacon Michael Tamihere. Te Toi Amorangi offers a global Anglican leadership programme grounded in Indigenous mātauranga, which comprises 50% ministry formation and 50% theological study. Students are encouraged to study either the Hoani Tapu NZDipCS or the Bachelor of Theology programme run by St John's partner on site at the Meadowbank campus, Trinity Methodist College, while postgraduates can study theology with the University of Otago Theology and Religious Studies programme or Laidlaw College. 

Formation wānanga through Te Toi Amorangi focuses on learning to serve within a fully immersive Anglican institution, through campus life, haerenga (pilgrimage) around the motu, and the practice of mātauranga Mihinare within Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.   

In a first for the College, Te Toi Amorangi students undertook a five-day ministry formation wānanga in kōwhaiwhai painting this year, convened by Te Rau College and taught by the tohunga toi Wi-Kuki Hewett.

In 2026 Te Toi Amorangi students will also undertake intensive block courses on:
– Aratūtohu | Wayfinding facilitated by Dr Steph Rotarangi covering problem-solving, project management, crisis and conflict, and the role of culture in leadership; and
– Karakia | Worship equipping students with understanding and frameworks for worship and sacred practice, including practical worship leadership.

Also in worship formation, Pou Karakia Rev Mele Prescott guides students in preparation and leadership of three tikanga worship in the St John's Chapel at Meadowbank: in the daily office, through thrice-weekly services in te reo Māori and three Eucharistic liturgies each week. Each semester tikanga groups shape and lead a week's chapel services giving expression to cultural and regional traditions from their Hui Amorangi and Dioceses.

Further 2026 Hearenga will take Te Toi Amorangi students out around the motu to:
– Te Ara Pounamu: travelling from Christchurch via Arahura - Hokitika and Te Tauraka Waka a Maui -Bruce Bay; and
– Aro nui ki te ao: travelling to Te Aute Kareti and Hukarere Māori Girls College in Hawke's Bay.

Acting Manukura Dr Andrew Picard says the College's new and reshaped programmes are a good fit for people moving into ministry leadership today. 

"This has been a period of stabilising the College, as well as developing the exciting new initiatives of Te Takawai and Te Toi Amorangi." he said.

"Through these new initiatives, the College is learning and growing through Indigenous ways of knowing and being that will form students capable of serving God’s Church and God’s world in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, and beyond."

To find out more about the Hoani Tapu St John's College programmes at 

Hoani Tapu – St John's College visit the website here.