Archdeacon for Leadership in Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, the Venerable Ruihana Paenga has been appointed Dean of Waiapu, becoming the first Māori Dean of Napier's Cathedral of St John the Evangelist.

Archdeacon Ruihana blazes a new trail as the first appointment since the Cathedral became home to two episcopal cathedrae, one each for both Pīhopa serving the region: the Bishop of Waiapu, the Rt Rev Andrew Hedge and Te Pīhopa o Aotearoa and Bishop of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Tairāwhiti, Archbishop Don Tamihere.

Aotearoa & Waiapu strengthen Māori - Pākehā Anglican relationship

For Bishop Andrew Hedge Archdeacon Ruihana's arrival heralds a new phase in the wider moves towards authentic bicultural ministry in the region.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming Ruihana to the new role. The blend of our two Tikanga in working with the parish community makes for an exciting awakening across the Church, with female leadership, a renewed embrace of our Māori whakapapa, and a commitment to working together into the fullness of our three Tikanga and Te Tiriti, as the Gospel envisioned.”

The shared appointment by Archbishop Don Tamihere and Bishop of Waiapu Andrew Hedge sees Ven. Ruihana become the first Dean in Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa, and one of only a few Māori to serve as Dean.

Archbishop Don Tamihere is pleased to support Ruihana in the new role.

“Archdeacon Ruihana represents the very best of leadership within Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa. She is an astute governor and leader in both hāhi and iwi spaces, a gifted minister, and more importantly, has deep aroha and compassion for whānau and community.” said Archbishop Don. 

Dean appointment unforseen – but welcome 

For Archdeacon Ruihana, this appointment was not something she'd ever expected. 

“I thought I would hopefully one day be the minister at St Mary’s Tikitiki, like my elders, Reverend Te Oraiti (Nanny Dot) and Reverend Tipuna (Pāpā Nunu)." 

“I don’t think the significance of the role has quite landed for me, but I know it’s a milestone in our story. I’m honoured, excited and challenged by what it means and how I will live into it.” 

A strong background in social development

Before starting her ministry leadership journey, Ruihana completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences at Waikato University and went on to specialise in Hapū Development in her second Bachelor's degree from Te Wānanga o Raukawa. 

She holds a Graduate Diploma in Teaching from Victoria University and is currently completing another Dip. Grad in Theology through Laidlaw College, continuing on from her pre-ordination study at Te Rau Theological College in Gisborne.

From 2004-2012 Ruihana was employed by Te Runanga o Ngāti Porou under then Chief Executive Amohaere Houkamau, where she worked to support multiple iwi and hapu development projects, including the establishment of Te Riu o Waiapu Marae Hapu Trust.

"I have been influenced and guided by many Ngāti Porou elders and hapu leaders along the way." she said. 

Archdeacon Ruihana links with Waiapu's Anglican origins

Originally from Tikitiki in the Waiapu Valley, Dean-designate Ruihana's appointment ties together her whakapapa and the origins of the Diocese of Waiapu.

“I began my ministry in Te Riu o Waiapu, where the diocese began — that’s no small thing in my whakaaro (thinking) and whakapapa. With my friend Reverend Merekaraka, I started by taking Sunday school and youth groups.

“As a layperson I assisted ministers in Ngāti Porou with tangi and community ministry, undertaking every role a layman is known to do. The minita a iwi model (Maori minister endorsed by tribal grouping) is what I’ve grown up with, and I see the value it has had for so many whānau.”

Since ordination, Archdeacon Ruihana has ministered in Gisborne, most recently as Archdeacon of Takitimu rohe for Te Hui Amorangi ki te Tairāwhiti and Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa. 

 Much of her work has focused on growing a regular worshipping Mihinare community.  

“Because our rural and marae-based ministry often runs on a roster, we are challenged to create consistent worshipping communities across Tairāwhiti" she said.

New ministry approach mooted for Waiapu Cathedral

Ruihana will now bring some of that ministry style into her new role as she looks forward to the challenges ahead in Napier.

"The greater focus is to grow a community that reflects and represents Napier today – not just for Māori and Pākehā but all those surrounding the Cathedral. That is what is most exciting to me."

“They are two different ways of structuring mission and ministry, but I’m not daunted. I’m excited for the opportunities and challenges ahead." she said.

New Waiapu Dean brings ministry and governance experience 

Ven. Ruihana is Archdeacon of Leadership for Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and has served the hāhi through several leadership and governance roles, including on the Women’s Council, Youth Commission, Liturgical Commission and Council for Ecumenism. One of her strongest insights from that work is that each kaupapa is connected by a shared purpose.

“They overlap and connect for the benefit of the people who need it most. Even though those things are specialised, they integrate rather than sit in separate boxes.  Our provincial church is at a crucial time of evaluating the good of the three tikanga church structure, Te Pouhere (1992 revised constitution) was revolutionary, but we have never fully lived into its potential fullness and transformative hope."    

“When we are in strong relationship we can represent our tikanga partners well, fairly and with a view to flourishing for each partner.”

Waiapu Diocese shares unique history with the Bishops of Aotearoa

The Diocese of Waiapu was formed in 1858 and is named for the region within which the Gospel was first preached by Māori evangelists in 1834.  Waiapu later became the host and supporting diocese for the first Bishop of Aotearoa in 1928, and subsequently for the Bishopric of Aotearoa in 1978.

Following the adoption of the 1992 Constitution - Te Pouhere, which rearranged the Anglican Church into three Tikanga or cultural streams, the name Waiapu was gifted by the Māori Anglican Church to remain with the Diocese as a reminder of the shared whakapapa between Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa and the Diocese of Waiapu.

Dean-designate Ruihana Paenga will be installed at Waiapu Cathedral at 11am on Saturday 1 August 2026.