Story: Ngā hāhi – Māori and Christian denominations

Wiremu Te Āwhitu

Wiremu Te Āwhitu

The first Māori priest of the Catholic Church, the Reverend Father Wiremu Te Āwhitu, is flanked by Bishop Snedden of Wellington (left) and Bishop Delargey of Auckland. They are moving on to Ngāpuawaiwaha marae in Taumarunui for the 1971 celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of  Te Āwhitu's priesthood. Five younger Māori priests – Henare Tate, Karaitiana King, Harwood, Bennett and Peter Lander (a nephew of Father Te Āwhitu) – also took part in this ceremony.

Courtesy of Te Puni Kōkiri.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Reference: Clark, E. R. ‘Silver Jubilee.’ Te Ao Hou 69 (1971), p. 53

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How to cite this page:

Hirini Kaa, 'Ngā hāhi – Māori and Christian denominations - Catholic Church', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/30629/wiremu-te-awhitu (accessed 12 May 2024)

Story by Hirini Kaa, published 5 May 2011, updated 1 Mar 2017