On 21 March 2026, Bishop John Adams joined other Māori Apostolate Board members for the first time at Te Rau Aroha. The second meeting of the year is planned for September.
The Māori Apostolate Board represents Eucharistic Communities across the Diocese of Palmerston North. Established by Bishop Peter Cullinane, the Board historically incorporates 20 Communities “from Ngā Pekanga, Waitara in the west to Tāwhiti ā Maru, Wairoa in the east”. The Board has 18 members, including the Bishop and Principals (or their delegates) of St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ (SJMGC) and Hato Pāora Colleges.
After pōwhiri, verbal reports were received from representatives of Te Wairoa, Manawatū, Waimarino, SJMGC, and Pakipaki. The Board is considering new Kura Katekita (Māori catechists’ training), a Missal Books review, and updates to the Māori Catholic page. Subsequent to celebrations at Hiruhārama/Jerusalem (19 March), a pilgrimage will be held “connecting Māori Eucharistic communities and their Mēri Hōhepa [Suzanne Aubert] links”. The Bishop addressed representatives before administrative matters were discussed. A shared evening meal was followed by the Bishop’s first Miha Māori on 22 March.
Written by Dr Katarina Gray-Sharp
Photo: Supplied
L-R: Ngahina Transom (Principal, SJMGC); Korty Wilson (Waimarino), Nick Wilson (Director – Pastoral Services), Kelly Thompson (Te Wairoa), Bishop John Adams, Katarina Gray-Sharp (Manawatū), Melissa Paul (Te Wairoa), Charles Ropitini (Pakipaki).
It is important to this diocese that the Treaty of Waitangi principle of partnership is a lived reality, not merely a theoretical ambition. On the weekend of 21–22 March, the newly reconvened Māori Apostolate Council met at the Diocesan Centre with Bishop John. The Apostolate has been reconvened to assist the Bishop with matters pertaining to Māori in the Church.
The gathering concluded with Miha i Te Reo Māori at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, led by Hato Pāora College. The Church has a long and valued history with Māori in Aotearoa, and this rōpū (group) is one of the key mechanisms for engaging Māori interests and concerns. One hope, as the Apostolate gains momentum, is to celebrate Miha i Te Reo Māori — Mass in the Māori language — more frequently.
Bishop John is working towards diocesan priests using more Te Reo Māori in the liturgy, better reflecting our bicultural history and our partnership with tangata whenua, the people of this land. Being Māori and being Catholic in this diocese is important, and we are blessed to have two unique schools in our country — and in the world — Hato Hohepa: St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College and Hato Pāora: St Paul’s College, both single-sex Māori Catholic boarding schools.
This year, Hui Aranga, the largest annual gathering of Māori Catholics in Aotearoa, will be held at Cullinane College in Whanganui over Easter. This gathering has taken place every year since it began in 1946 at Pukekaraka Marae in Ōtaki, celebrating the gift of being Māori and being Catholic.
Written by Nick Wilson, Pastoral Services Director
Photos: Emma Dodsworth
