Perhaps Fr Te Awhitu’s main place in the history of the Catholic Church in Aotearoa / New Zealand is that he is the first Māori to become a Catholic priest. He was ordained in 1944 when 30 years old by Archbishop O’Shea. Wiremu Hakopa Toa Te Awhitu began his life near Taumarunui on 28th July Read more
It is 26 years since Pā Wiremu Te Awhitu died on the 29th July 1994. Some would argue he is an Aotearoa saint waiting to be recognised. Every year people from the Hamilton Diocese and beyond gather at his birthplace Okahukura, north of Taumarunui to celebrate his life. His family have a marae there dedicated Read more
Pā Karaitiana Kingi, Marist priest, celebrated his 50th jubilee at Takitimu Marae Wairoa on Saturday 16th November. The venue was appropriate as Kingi was ordained at this marae by Bishop Snedden. It was the first time a Māori priest had been ordained on a marae. Various priests, religious Sisters and Brothers joined Fr Karaitiana and Read more
Pā Steven Thomas Hancy was born in Wairoa on 23rd September 1953 and passed away in Whanganui on 27th May 2017. Pā was ordained at Mohaka Marae by Bishop Peter Cullinane on 6 February 1988 and served in the parishes of Hawera, Taradale, New Plymouth, Patea and Waverley, Hastings West, Central Hawkes Bay and Whanganui. Read more
Pa Hemi Hekiera died in Rotorua on Friday. His priestly ministry was focused on strengthening Maori Catholics as both Māori and Catholic. His sudden death follows the recent deaths of two other priests who spent many years working with Māori Catholics. Fr Wim Tuerlings, a Mill Hill priest died in the Netherlands on 2 December. Read more