ISSUE FIFTY-FOUR: RIMA TEKAU MĀ WHĀ JUNE 2019
First Māori Woman Bishop “It wasn’t someone who came and said you’d make a good Bishop,” according to Bishop-elect Waitohiariki (Wai) Quayle. Bishop-elect Wai Quayle
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Softly spoken, hospitable, and speaking from her home in Carterton, she talks about becoming the first Māori woman to be elected Bishop. Recently named by the Archbishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, the election also makes her the first Aotearoa New Zealand-born woman to be chosen to serve as a Bishop, in any Tikanga. After just six years from becoming a Deacon in 2013, a Priest the following year, an Archdeacon in 2015, Bishop-elect Wai will be ordained later this year. Bishop Don Tamihere admitted the church waited far too long to elect a Māori woman as Bishop. “It’s overwhelming.It was spiritually led,” she said opening up about her feelings. “It’s been my whole journey,” she adds remembering her childhood and the spiritual journey that started between the ages of 7 and 12. Born at Gladstone in 1950, she speaks affectionately
of parents Hoani Waaka (Walker) an Anglican and mother Toi Haeata-Kuku who belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “They welcomed all religions,” to their Gladstone home she reminisced. Elders and ministers alike were common place in their home. Her godfather Te Awhitu (Bill or Babe) Tahana took her at a young age to town shopping, to dances and balls as he played in the band. “It’s a wonder I didn’t become a ward of the state,” she said jokingly. Her father Hoani was a shearing contractor and always had a lot of workers at their home in Gladstone. Once a month the Anglican minister would come to our home and take karakia. Sunday was a day off and they would all attend the service followed by Sunday roast put on by her mum Toi.
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June 2019