Christine Stride is Executive Assistant to the Baptist National Leader and works at the Baptist National Support Centre in Auckland. She is a member of Titirangi Baptist Church in Auckland.
Delegates at the 2025 National Baptist Hui confirmed the constitution of Te Rūnanga, formalising Ngāi Iriiri Māori (Baptist Māori) governance.
The constitution’s confirmation was well-received, and its announcement was followed by cheers throughout the room.
“This is a way for us to partnership well together as Māori and as Baptists,” said Rangiaruaru Hema, a member of Te Whāriki, the governance leadership group of Te Rūnanga.
“This also helps us on our journey to reach other Māori in our Baptist churches. We want to strengthen Māori leaders in our churches, and we believe the constitution is a big step toward that.”
The confirmation at Hui follows 12 months of collaboration by Te Whāriki, represented by Rangiaruaru Hema, the National Council and the National Support Centre (NSC) of the Baptist Union of New Zealand (BUNZ), under the leadership of Te Pouarataki mō te Hīkoi Treaty Guide Luke Kaa-Morgan.
“This constitution has come from willingness to break down institutional barriers and cultural barriers that prevent Māori responding as Māori to the gospel,” said NSC Operations and Finance Director Wayne Schache.
Wayne acknowledged it had been 25 years since the Baptist Union of New Zealand’s Treaty Affirmation Statements were adopted by the November 2000 Assembly (now known as our National Hui).
He reminded delegates that the Treaty Affirmation Statements were the affirmation of the Baptist Union’s willingness to bring reconciliation to the tangata whenua and pākeha.
“We agreed that we would choose to develop and work for structures and systems within our movement appropriate to tangata whenua. We agreed to work for increased cooperation and leadership interdependence between tangata whenua and pākeha,” he said.
“The object is to support Baptist Māori and the whole movement as together we seek discipleship for, relationship with and worship of Ihu Karaiti Jesus Christ.”
Because of the constitution of Te Rūnanga, it means the next Hui a Māori (4-5 July 2026 in Ōtautahi Christchurch) will be a recognised formal gathering of the Baptist Union of New Zealand. See below for Hui a Māori registration details.
Read the constitution online
The Rules of Te Rūnanga and Te Whāriki of the Baptist Union of New Zealand | Ko ngā ture o Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Iriiri Māori (Te Rūnanga) me Te Whāriki o Te Hāhi Iriiiri o Aotearoa. This webpage includes a link to a PDF of the constitution.
Te Whāriki members
These members of Te Whāriki were also confirmed for the next year:
Steve Mihaere, Matthew Renata, Ray Totorewa, Josie Te Kahu, Leonnie Motu, Rāwiri Auty, Manakinui Te Kahu, Sean Delany, Rangiaruaru Hema.
Hui-ā-Māori 2026
Our next Hui-ā-Māori is scheduled for 3-5 July 2026 in Ōtautahi Christchurch. We would appreciate you reaching out to any whānau Māori in your congregations with this information. To register your interest please send an email to Krissie Drew, Te Whāriki Admin and Operations Support: [email protected]
Ngāi Iriiri Māori Facebook Group
Please also encourage any whānau Māori in your congregations to connect nationally within the Ngāi Iriiri Māori - Māori Baptists of Aotearoa NZ Facebook group.
Useful definitions
Ngāi Iriiri Māori - the collective total of all Baptist Māori.
Hui a Māori – an annual hui for Baptist Māori, held mid-year.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Iriiri Māori (Te Rūnanga) - the collective group of Māori that attend and participate in the annual Hui-ā-Māori and are affiliated to the Baptist Union of New Zealand.
Te Whāriki - the governance leadership group of Te Rūnanga.
Image credit: Emma Diack, Shootproof. Krissy Drew, Matthew Renata and Troy Renata-Paul at the 2025 National Baptist Hui
