Te Waka o Hāto Petera Wāwāhi Ara Appointments

17 December 2025 

Te Waka o Hāto Petera Wāwāhi Ara* 

“Ko Petera koe, ā ka hanga e ahau taku hāhi ki runga ki tēnei kamaka;
e kore anō e taea taua hāhi e ngā kuwaha o te reinga.” Matiu 16:18 

 Bishop Steve Lowe and the Kahui Kaumātua o Hāto Petera are pleased to announce the following appointments to Te Waka o Hāto Petera Wāwāhi Ara: 

 Wallace Haumaha
Geremy Hema
Susan Huria
Jenny Solomon
Helen Te Hira
Emily Vaka’uta
James van Schie 

 (Brief biographies of each member can be viewed here) 

 They have been appointed for a term of three years. Their mahi will be to work together with the Bishop and Kahui Kaumātua to restore the mauri of the Hāto Petera site and realising the vision:  

  • To provide education for all, consistent with the intent of the 1850 Crown Grant. 
  • To strengthen the relationship between Māori and the Catholic Church. 
  • To educate within a Māori Katorika framework.

We entrust them and their work to the intercession of Hāto Petera, and wish them every success and blessing. 

Welcoming Mika into the Catholic Church

On Saturday, 13 December, we joyfully welcomed Mika into the Catholic Church and whānau through the sacrament of baptism—a beautiful sign of new life in Christ and belonging to the faith community. It was a wonderful celebration with the regular Hāto Petera Miha congregation alongside Mika’s whānau and friends. Both Manuel and Pa Mark Bond assured Mika that this now means two birthdays each year (and yes, double the presents!).
(Photos shared with permission of Mika’s family).

Community Dinners at Hāto Petera

Each Wednesday evening a free hot nutritious meal is served for those in the Northcote area by Life Community volunteers.  We have made the hall at Hāto Petera available for these dinners.   Last night was a special ‘Christmas Dinner’ with entertainment, games for the tamariki and even Santa made an appearance with bags of lollies!  The first dinner for 2026 will be on Wednesday 12 January.  All are welcome.

Miha continues each month

Miha Māori Mass, Hato Petera tonight with Takapuna based seminarian Joseph Marr, Manuel Beazley, Anne Gibson and Fr Mark Bond. The next Miha is 6pm, Saturday October 11. Thank you to Pata for the kai.

Te Whānau o Hāto Petera Hui and presentation of the Tūāpapa future governance document

We gathered on Sunday 29 June, the Feast of Hato Petera for Miha Māori, kai and hui.

With the support Kāhui Kaumatua and Bishop Steve Lowe, the Hāto Petera Interim Governance Group provided an overview of the governance document “Tūāpapa” which sets out how we will collaborate, decide and implement decisions for Hāto Petera broader goals and objectives.  The Interim Governance Group also provided an outline of the process to establish Te Waka O Hāto Petera Wāwāhi Ara.  More information about the Tūāpapa and the process for establishing the Wāwāhi Ara can be found here.