Tāhuhu Kōrero
Our Story
Iti te kōpara, kai tākirikiri ana i runga i te Kahikatea
Although the bellbird is small it plucks at the tall Kahikatea
TŪRANGA-A-MUA, TŪRANGA ARARAU
Te Rau Kahikatea
Named for the tall native stands of Kahikatea which at one time covered the area, the historic Te Rau Kahikatea, built in 1876, has long been the nucleus of Te Rau College and continues to sit at the heart of our mission, ministry, and teaching.
Situated on land purchased by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) priest, Archdeacon William Leonard Williams (known as Mita Rēnata), in 1870, it was first constructed as his family home. Te Rēnata was a scholar of Te Reo Māori, continuing the work of his father, William Williams, in producing the third and fourth editions of A Dictionary of the New Zealand Language and working with him to revise the the Māori Old and New Testaments and Te Rāwiri, the Māori Book of Common Prayer.
By 1881 the London based CMS had announced their withdrawal from Aotearoa and their intention to wind down funding over the next 20 years. At a meeting of their successor, the New Zealand Mission Trust Board, a resolution was passed that all Māori students for ministry be trained in one central location: Te Rau College, Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa, under the direction of Te Rēnata.
TŪRANGA MAKAURAU, TŪRANGA TANGATA-RITE
Te Rau College
With Te Rēnata having already commenced instructing students in his home through 1881-2, Te Rau College operated at the outset in Te Rau Kahikatea until 1883 when classrooms and additional lodgings were constructed. The site quickly expanded and eventually included a printing press which produced the Māori newspapers Te Pīpīwharauroa (1899-1908), founded and edited by Rev Frederick Bennett, who would become the first Bishop of Aotearoa, and Rev Reweti Kohere, and Te Kōpara (1913-1921) edited by Rev Wi Paraire Rangihuna.
With subjects covering biblical studies and languages (Hebrew and Greek), Church history, liturgy, and music, lessons were taught in Te Reo Māori and students were given practical ministry placements at various worship centres throughout Te Tairāwhiti. From 1902 formal academic qualifications were introduced and studying for Grade Examinations became compulsory with successful students being admitted to a Licentiate in Theology.
By 1918, the NZMTB made the decision to close Te Rau College and that Māori students should be trained alongside Pākehā students at St John’s College, Auckland. Kohere, a former student and tutor at TRC noted that the move would “cut off” Māori students from their own people.
Thrust into a wholly Pākehā environment the arrangement faltered, with the training of Māori students being shifted for a time to Te Aute College in 1937. The Māori presence at St Johns College in Auckland remained minimal until the early 1990s, when a Tikanga Māori college was established onsite under the name Te Rau Kahikatea in homage to the original but this was also soon disestablished.
Following the closure of Te Rau College in Tūranga in the 1920s many buildings were sold to private owners with Te Rau Kahikatea kept as a vicarage for the local Parish until the 1990s when it was also sold.
TE KARAITI TE WĀNANGA
Te Tairāwhiti Te Whare Wānanga
The Māori Anglican Church re-purchased the historic Te Rau Kahikatea in 2001 and it has once again become the heart of the re-established Te Rau College and the ministry and mission of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Tairāwhiti (the Māori Anglican Church in Te Tairāwhiti).
The long list of minita who have studied at Te Rau College from iwi throughout Aotearoa form a long list of luminaries who have all conclusively shaped the mission of the Māori Church. Many of today’s Māori clergy are able to trace their whakapapa back to these original academic Māori priests.
Certainly, all clergy and laity within Te Hāhi Mihinare can claim themselves as descendants of the whakapono and ministry of these original clerics and the whānau that nurtured and supported them.
Today, from Potikirua in the North across some 20,000 square kilometres to the Manawatu River in the South, with Christ as the foundation of our wānanga, Te Rau College now extends its classroom to encompass the maunga, awa, whenua, marae, and people of Te Tairāwhiti.
Āku e kohi ai ki tāku rourou, ko ngā mea pakari, ko ngā mea e tupu pai ai te tangata i runga i te whakaaro ki te Atua e whakawhiwhi nei i a tātou ki ngā mea katoa e ora ai te wairua me te tinana.
What I shall gather in my basket are those things that will strengthen, and help the people to grow with their minds set on God who gives us all things for our spiritual and physical welfare.
Reverend Wi Paraire Rangihuna
STAFF & ALUMNI
Ngā Kaiako me ngā Ākonga o Mua
Since the founding of Te Rau College by Te Rēnata in the 1880s, Te Rau College has been staffed by and produced a number of notable alumni – luminaries who have conclusively shaped the nature and mission of the Māori Church and impacted the Māori world generally.
Ngā Tumuaki
Principals
Rt Rev William Leonard Williams
Founding Director, 1883-85; Principal, 1885-1893
BA, DD (Oxon)
Rt Rev Herbert Williams
Principal, 1894-1901 (Tutor, 1889-94)
BA (Canterbury), BA, MA (Cambridge)
Ven Frederick William Chatterton
Principal, 1902-18
BD (Durham)
Rev Cn Alfred Neild
Principal, 1919-20
BA, MA (Cambridge)
Most Rev Donald Tamihere
Tumuaki, 2013-16
DipMin (TNTBTC), BTh (Auckland), MTh (Auckland), PhD Candidate (CSU)
Ngāti Porou
Ven Michael Tamihere
Principal, 2017-
BTh (Auckland), PGDipTheol (Laidlaw), PhD Student (Otago)
Ngāti Porou
Ngā Kaiwhakaako
Tutors
Rev Alfred Owen Williams
Tutor, 1883-1885
Rev Edward Jennings
Tutor, 1885-1889
Rt Rev Herbert Williams
Tutor, 1889-1894
R. Heatly
Assistant, c.1894-1898
Rev Hector Alfred Hawkins
Tutor, 1898-1900
Rev Reweti Tūhorouta Mōkena Kōhere
Assistant Tutor, 1898-1908
Rev Pineamine Tamahori
Assistant Tutor, 1908-12
Rev W.K.P. Rangihuna
Assistant Tutor, 1913-1916
Rev Cn Pane Kawhia
Kaiwhakaako, 2013-2018
Ven Numia Tomoana
Kaiwhakaako, 2013-2018
Rev Cn Christopher William Owen Gerney Douglas-Huriwai
Kaiwhakaako Rangatahi, 2013-2015; Kaiwhakaako, 2017-2021
Rev Cn Isaac Tui Te Kanapu Broudigan Beach
Kaiwhakaako Rangatahi, 2016-2017; Kaiwhakaako, 2018-
Rev Kingston Cooper
Kaiwhakaako Reo & Tikanga, 2018-
Kirby Mei Beach
Kaiwhakaako Rangatahi, 2018-2021
Adrian Sutherland
Kaiwhakaako Tipu Ora, 2019-
Rev Zhane Rawiri Tahau Whelan
Kaiwhakaako Kāhui Whakapono, 2020-2021
Kaiwhakaako Tūāpapa, 2022-
Ruawhaitiri Ngatai Mahue
Kaiwhakaako Rangatahi, Ranga Wairua, 2022-
Rev Peter Bargh
Paewai Ako, 2022-2023
Te Haumoana ā Te Waiwaha Kōpua-Irwin
Kaiwhakaako Tūāpapa, 2023-
Ngā Ākonga o Mua
Alumni
KEY: Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa etc – Iwi / Tribe; d. – deacon; p. – priest; b. – bishop; BTS – Board of Theological Studies; Auckland, Waiapu, Wellington etc – ordained by bishop of;
Te Aihu, Rutene
Ngāti Porou
d.1878, p.1887, Waiapu
Te Aomarere, Te Matera
Ngāti Raukawa
d.1916, Wellington
BTS Grade II 1914
BTS Grade III 1915
Te Aro, Manahi
d.1881, Waiapu
Te Awarau, Eruera Hakaraia
d.1901, p.1903, Auckland
Te Awarau, Piripi
d.1893, p.1896, Waiapu
Te Awekotuku, Ratema
d.1896, p.1910, Waiapu
Eruini, Ereatara
d.1913, p.1915, Waiapu
Hakaraia, Eru
Te Rarawa
Hakiwai, Peni Te Uamairangi
Ngāti Kahungunu
d.1903, p.1908, Waiapu
BTS Grade II Class 3 1908
Hape, Ranapia Mokena
d.1895, Auckland
Hapimana, Taimona
d.1895, p.1896, Auckland
Harawira, Kahi Takimoana
Te Aupōuri
d.1920, p.1921, Auckland
BTS Grade I Class 3 1918
BTS Grade II Class 2 1919
Haumia, Rameka
d.1895, p.1901, Waiapu
Te Hata, Hoeta
d.1892, Waiapu
Hawkins, Hector Alfred
d.1898, p.1900, Auckland
BTS Grade IV A + B Class 1 1898
Heke, Hetekia Rika
Ngāpuhi
d.1908, p.1912, Auckland
BTS Grade I Class 3 1906
BTS Grade II Class 3 1908
Himiona, Rangi
Te Arawa
Hiwinui, Riwai
Ngāti Porou
Hori, Hana Taua
Te Arawa
BTS Grade II 1914
BTS Grade III 1915
Hotene, Nepia
Te Arawa
d.1917, Waiapu
BTS Grade I 1914
BTS Grade II 1915
Huata, Hemi Pititi
d.1898, p.1901, Waiapu
Hukatere, Hare Reweti
d.1887, p.1892, Auckland
Te Irimana, Paeuta
d.1885, Waiapu
Kaipo, Hone Wi
Te Aupōuri
d.1905, p.1908, Christchurch
Te Kanapu, Tamati
Tuhoe
d.1914, Waiapu
BTS Grade I Class 2 1911
BTS Grade II Class 3 1912
BTS Grade III 1914
BTS Grade IV Part 1 Class 3 1915
BTS Grade IV Part 2 Class 3 1916
Kapa, Mutu Paratene
d.1907, p.1912, Auckland
Karaka, Hone
d.1912, p.1914, Auckland
BTS Grade I Class 3 1909
Karaka, Karira Arama
Ngāpuhi
d.1905, p.1910, Christchurch for Auckland
Kareko, Tarau Titore
Ngāpuhi
Karena, Karauria
Ngāti Kahungunu
BTS Grade I 1914
Katene, Tamati
Ngāpuhi
d.1911, p.1913, Wellington
BTS Grade I Class 3 1907
BTS Grade II Class 3 1908
Kawhia, Eruera
Ngāti Porou
d.1887, p.1892, Waiapu
Kawhia, Raniera
Ngāti Porou
Keepa, Matene
Te Arawa, Te Patuwai
d.1908, p.1917, Waiapu
BTS Grade I Class 3 1907
Kerehoma, Rewiti Taukiri
Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri
d.1903, p.1905, Auckland
Kerei, Reretima
Ngāti Kahungunu
BTS Grade I 1915
Kerekere, Kahungunu
Te Āitanga a Māhaki
Keremenata, Henare
d.1909, p.1913, Wellington
Kereru, Horima Mokai
Ngārauru
d.1899, p. 1905, Wellington
Keretene, Wiremu Hone
d.1901, p.1903, Auckland
Kiriwi, Timoti Morenui
d.1896, p. 1899, Auckland
Kohere, Poihipi
Ngāti Porou
d.1896, p.1908, Waiapu
Kohere, Reweti Tuhorouta
Ngāti Porou
d.1907, p. 1910, Waiapu
BTS Grade III Second Class 1902
BTS Grade IV part 1 Class 3 1903
BTS Grade IV part 2 Class 3 1908
Kokiri, Patihana
d.1913, p. 1915, Waiapu
BTS Grade I Class 3 1911
Kopae, Waata
Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pūkeko
BTS Grade I Class 3 1915
BTS Grade II 1916
Leonard, Pakeke Heketoro
Te Arawa
Manuera, Timoti
d.1909, p.1914, Auckland
Mataira, Wiremu Pere
Ngāti Kahungunu
1919, Waiapu
BTS Grade II Class 3 1918
Matene, Paki
Ngāpuhi
Te Matete. Wiremu Hoete
d.1886, p.1892, Auckland
Makerika, Aarona
Ngāti Raukawa
Munro, Himipiri Te Wharekauri
d.1910, p.1911, Waiapu
BTS Grade I Class 3 1906
BTS Grade II Class 3 1907
BTS Grade III Class 3 1910
Naera, Matene
Ngāpuhi
Netana, Penewhare
Ngāti Whatua
Ngaki, Turuturu Maihi
d.1901, p.1912, Waiapu
Ngatai, Hipera
Ngāi Te Rangi
Ngatai, Te Pou
Ngāi Te Rangi
Ngatote, Taitimu Reihana Kahahuri
d.1894, p.1896, Auckland
Te Paa, Te Pana
Te Rarawa
Paerata, Herewini Nopera
d.1887, p.1896, Auckland
Paerata, Hoani Matenga
Te Karewa
d.1905, p.1908, Christchurch for Auckland
Te Paerata, Hone Teri
d.1894, p.1901, Waiapu
Paerata, Teri
d.1901, Auckland
Paerata, Tiopira Nopera
d.1896, p.1899, Auckland
Pahewa, Hakaraia
Ngāti Porou
d.1895, p.1896, Waiapu
Panapa, Wiremu Netana
Te Rarawa
d.1887, p.1892 Auckland, b.1951, Waiapu
BTS Grade I Class 2 1915
BTS Grade II Class 2 1916
BTS Grade III Class 1 1918
Paora, Anaru
Te Arawa
Papahia, Hone Tana
d.1887, p.1892, Auckland
Paraone, Henare Hohepa
Ngāpuhi
d.1915, p.1917, Auckland
BTS Grade II Class 3 1911
BTS Grade II Class 3 1913
Pereiha, Waata Tuahangata
Te Arawa
d.1903, p.1908, Waiapu
Piahana, Henare
Ngāi Te Rangi
Piwaka, Hoani
d.1892, Waiapu
Poata, Keina
d.1912, p.1914, Auckland
Pukerua, Manahi Katene
Ngāti Kahungunu
d.1898, Waiapu
Puha, Wiremu Tureia
Ngāti Porou
d.1915, p.1919, Waiapu
BTS Grade III 1914
BTS Grade IV Class 3 1915
BTS Grade IV Class 2 1916
Raiti, Hori Piri
Ngāpuhi
d.1913, p.1915, Auckland
Rangi, Ahipene
d.1895, p.1896, Waiapu
Rangihuna, Wiremu Katene Paraire
d.1907, p.1910, Waiapu
BTS Grade I Class 3 1901
BTS Grade II Class 3 1903
BTS Grade III Class 3 1907
BTS Grade IV Part 1 & Part 2 Class 2 1910
Te Raro, Ehekiera
d.1907, Waiapu
Ratapahi, Waewae
Ngāti Awa, Te Patuwai
d.1916, Waiapu
BTS Grade II 1914
BTS Grade III 1915
Ratapu, Karaitiana
d.1892, Waiapu
Ruarangi, Hare Maihi
d.1896, p.1899, Auckland
Runga, Nirai
d.1881, Waiapu
Tahuriorangi, Ropere
Te Arawa
d.1904, p.1905, Auckland
Taitimu, Hemi Kingi
d.1884, p.1886, Auckland
Tamahori, Pineamine
Ngāti Porou
d.1908, p.1911, Waiapu
BTS Grade I Class 2 1905
BTS Grade III Class 2 1907
BTS Grade IV Part 1 Class 3 1908
BTS Grade IV Part 2 Class 2 1908
Tamaiparea, Iwiora
Ngā Rauru
d.1901, p.1905, Wellington
Tamihere, Aperahama Tataikoko
Ngāti Porou
d.1898, p.1901, Waiapu
Tangotehura, Ponui
Ngāi Te Rangi
Taratana, Wiremu
Ngāpuhi
Taurere, Makoare
d.1904, p.1907, Auckland
Tautau, Nikora
d.1893, p.1896, Auckland
Taurau, Hohaia
Ngāpuhi
d.1918, p.1919, Auckland
BTS Grade I 1915
Tawhai, Timutimu
Tawhiri, Riwai Te Hiwinui
d.1908, Waiapu
BTS Grade I Class 2 1899
BTS Grade II Class 2 1900
BTS Grade III Class 3 1902
BTS Grade IV Part 1 Class 3 1906
Temuera, Paora
d.1913, p.1916, Wellington
BTS Grade I Class 3 1911
Timutimu, Tapeta
d.1898, p.1901, Waiapu
Toka, Tamati
Ngāi Tai
Tokoaitua, Temuera
Te Arawa
d.1901, p.1906, Wellington
Tokoroa, Poihipi Tamiora
Ngāti Maniapoto
d.1915, p.1919, Auckland
BTS Grade III 1915
Toroiwhiti, Tamakahu
Ngāti Kahungunu
Topi, Pene
Ngāpuhi
d.1907, p.1912, Auckland
Tumatahi, Te Manihera Manahi
Te Arawa
d.1911, p.1913, Waiapu
Turei, Paraone
Ngāti Porou
d.1908, p.1910, Waiapu
BTS Grade II Class 3 1905
Waaka, Matenga
d.1887, p.1892, Waiapu
Te Waaka, Wiremu Paratene
Te Arawa
d.1910, p.1913, Waiapu
Waata, Wana
Ngāpuhi
Te Waha, Wiremu Paratene
d.1892, Auckland
Te Wainohu, Henare Wepiha
d.1906, p.1908, Waiapu
BTS Grade I Class 3 1905
BTS Grade II Class 3 1906
Waitai, Ware
Ngāti Kahungunu
Waitoa, Hone
d.1887, p.1891, Waiapu
Whakarua, Iwiora
Ngā Rauru
Wharehuia, Mahereweti
Te Arawa, Ngāti Manawa
d.1916, Waiapu
BTS Grade II 1914
BTS Grade III 1915
Wikiriwhi, Rewi Matata
Te Arawa
d.1911, p.1913, Waiapu
CONTACT US
Whakapā Mai
Tūranganui ā Kiwa / Gisborne, NZ
teraucollege@tairawhiti.org.nz