Post by hushasha40 on Mar 19, 2007 0:15:18 GMT 1
New vicar treads in old family footsteps
by Alice Te Puni, The Gisborne Herald
Wednesday, 21 February, 2007
Pane Kawhia’s ordination at Whareponga on Saturday upheld an Anglican Church family tradition spanning 147 years. Her great-great-great grandfather Raniera Kawhia was one of the first Maori ministers to be ordained on the East Coast by Bishop of Waiapu William Williams at Whareponga on February 17, 1860. Reverend Kawhia said she felt honoured to be following in the footsteps of her forefathers.
"Today is the fulfilment of a step that I have taken purely on faith. I believe it to be the right thing to do. There have been many signs confirming this. I feel honoured to be walking in my tipuna’s footsteps but in the modern world."
Her great-great grandfather Eruera Kawhia was also ordained at Whareponga on December 11, 1887. Rev Kawhia is likened to her pioneer ancestors as she is the first woman in her whanau to be ordained. She now joins the growing ranks of women Anglican ministers.
Venerable Dr Hone Kaa said during the ceremony Rev Kawhia faced many challenges in her new role. "Being a woman in the church is not an easy task. It has always been male-dominated, or so we like to think. But here on the East Coast it was the women who ensured the church and the people survived. Her main job was to "offer our people hope" when there was only hopelessness. "You have a great responsibility to the tasks ahead of you. In fact we all do. According to statistics we are beneath the bottom rung of the ladder. We need to help address the issues of violence, poor education and health."
Bishop of Waiapu Rt Reverend John Bluck said the ordination was a "tremendous" occasion. "This is a great day for all of us. There are so many influences, stories and intersects which makes this the great day it is. It is definitely something to tell our children and our grandchildren about." Bishop Bluck presented Rev Kawhia with a plaque crafted from a beam of the old Waiapu Cathedral in Napier – destroyed by the 1931 earthquake. "To remember where we have come from," he said.
Rev Kawhia was baptised and confirmed in the Anglican Church but looked into the doors of other Christian churches along her life’s journey and gained an insight into many scripture principles. She is keen to share what she has learned with whanau and friends when she returns home. Born and raised in Ruatoria, Rev Kawhia attended Ngata Memorial College. She has worked as a secretary in Wellington and for New Zealand embassies in Asia and the Middle East.
Whanau and friends describe their faith’s newest leader as a woman with a great "zest" for life, a caring nature and the singing voice of an angel. Rev Kawhia paid tribute to her whanau and friends who have helped support her journey, her parents Eruera Kawhia and Henrietta Walker, and grandparents Raniera Kawhia and Pare Ngata, and Raana Walker and Mary Roa Milner.
Wind blew rain clouds away for most of the morning’s ceremony. A small shower during the closing hymn was described as a blessing. "They are tears of joy from our ancestors," said Dr Kaa.
www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article.asp?aid=8410&iid=652&sud=27
by Alice Te Puni, The Gisborne Herald
Wednesday, 21 February, 2007
Pane Kawhia’s ordination at Whareponga on Saturday upheld an Anglican Church family tradition spanning 147 years. Her great-great-great grandfather Raniera Kawhia was one of the first Maori ministers to be ordained on the East Coast by Bishop of Waiapu William Williams at Whareponga on February 17, 1860. Reverend Kawhia said she felt honoured to be following in the footsteps of her forefathers.
"Today is the fulfilment of a step that I have taken purely on faith. I believe it to be the right thing to do. There have been many signs confirming this. I feel honoured to be walking in my tipuna’s footsteps but in the modern world."
Her great-great grandfather Eruera Kawhia was also ordained at Whareponga on December 11, 1887. Rev Kawhia is likened to her pioneer ancestors as she is the first woman in her whanau to be ordained. She now joins the growing ranks of women Anglican ministers.
Venerable Dr Hone Kaa said during the ceremony Rev Kawhia faced many challenges in her new role. "Being a woman in the church is not an easy task. It has always been male-dominated, or so we like to think. But here on the East Coast it was the women who ensured the church and the people survived. Her main job was to "offer our people hope" when there was only hopelessness. "You have a great responsibility to the tasks ahead of you. In fact we all do. According to statistics we are beneath the bottom rung of the ladder. We need to help address the issues of violence, poor education and health."
Bishop of Waiapu Rt Reverend John Bluck said the ordination was a "tremendous" occasion. "This is a great day for all of us. There are so many influences, stories and intersects which makes this the great day it is. It is definitely something to tell our children and our grandchildren about." Bishop Bluck presented Rev Kawhia with a plaque crafted from a beam of the old Waiapu Cathedral in Napier – destroyed by the 1931 earthquake. "To remember where we have come from," he said.
Rev Kawhia was baptised and confirmed in the Anglican Church but looked into the doors of other Christian churches along her life’s journey and gained an insight into many scripture principles. She is keen to share what she has learned with whanau and friends when she returns home. Born and raised in Ruatoria, Rev Kawhia attended Ngata Memorial College. She has worked as a secretary in Wellington and for New Zealand embassies in Asia and the Middle East.
Whanau and friends describe their faith’s newest leader as a woman with a great "zest" for life, a caring nature and the singing voice of an angel. Rev Kawhia paid tribute to her whanau and friends who have helped support her journey, her parents Eruera Kawhia and Henrietta Walker, and grandparents Raniera Kawhia and Pare Ngata, and Raana Walker and Mary Roa Milner.
Wind blew rain clouds away for most of the morning’s ceremony. A small shower during the closing hymn was described as a blessing. "They are tears of joy from our ancestors," said Dr Kaa.
www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article.asp?aid=8410&iid=652&sud=27