The Ven Ruihana Paenga has been announced as Dean of Waiapu. In the role, she will lead ministry at Waiapu Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Napier, New Zealand, serving both the Diocese of Waiapu and Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa (the Māori Anglican Church).

She will be the first Māori person to hold the role and will be installed at Waiapu Cathedral on Saturday, 1 August 2026. Upon her installation, she will become the Very Reverend Ruihana Paenga, Dean of Waiapu Cathedral.

Archdeacon Ruihana is currently Archdeacon for Leadership in Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa. Her appointment is the first since the Cathedral became home to two episcopal cathedrae (chairs or seats), one for each of the two bishops serving the region: the Bishop of Waiapu, the Rt Revd Andrew Hedge, and the Pīhopa o Tairāwhiti, Pīhopa o Aotearoa, Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, the Most Revd Don Tamihere.

Archdeacon Ruihana told Anglican Taonga (an Anglican News service in the region) that her appointment as Dean-designate was welcome but unforeseen. She reflected that she had hoped one day to be a 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,’ she said, ‘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.’

Speaking about her journey to ministry and ordination, Archdeacon Ruihana shared that she has 'been influenced and guided by many Ngāti Porou (a Māori tribe) elders and hapu (community) leaders along the way.'

Archdeacon Ruihana also reflected on what she hopes to create in her new role at the Cathedral. 'The greater focus is to grow a community that reflects and represents Napier today – not just for Māori and Pākehā (non-Māori people) 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.

Anglican Taonga also reported words from Bishop Andrew's comments on the significance of Archdeacon Ruihana's appointment in the wider journey towards authentic bicultural ministry in the region: 'We’re looking forward to welcoming Ruihana to the new role. The blend of our two Tikanga (values) in working with the parish community makes for an exciting awakening across the Church, with female leadership, a renewed embrace of our Māori whakapapa (lineage), and a commitment to working together into the fullness of our three Tikanga and Te Tiriti, as the Gospel envisioned.'

Archbishop Don Tamihere also shared his support for Archdeacon Ruihana in the new role, saying she 'represents the very best of leadership within Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa. She is an astute governor and leader in both hāhi (Church) and iwi (tribe) spaces, a gifted minister and more importantly, has deep aroha (love) and compassion for whānau (family) and community.'

About the Diocese of Waiapu in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

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.

More information

Read more about Archdeacon Ruihana Paenga's appointment on the Anglican Taonga website (published July 6). 

Read more about the Archdeacon Ruihana's appointment and role at Waiapu Cathedral.