History of Te Wananga a Rangi
One of the many issues in both Church and society that arose from World War II and the success of the 28th Maori Battalion was that of indigenous leadership. During this time the Presbyterian Church noted that although it had a Maori missions department only two of its workers were Maori. A new framework to express “being an indigenous Church” was needed.
In 1952 a round table conference on Maori affairs was convened. This conference specifically examined the historical situation of Maori and the Church’s response (or lack of response). Out of this conference came the proposals for a Maori Synod and a Maori Theological College .
The Maori Theological College officially began in 1953 as a field training centre of the Presbyterian ministry training facility in Dunedin . It primarily offered adult education that led directly to full-time ordained ministry.
In total from 1953 to 1970 Te Wananga a Rangi successfully trained 24 people from an intake of 29 students for vocations as full-time ministers in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
Of the 29 students there were two Maori women training as Deaconesses, two Samoan students, one Pakeha student, and 24 Maori men. Of the Maori men one was a part-time student. Added to this were international exchange students from Vanuatu . It is interesting to note that while the majority of students were Maori none of the teaching staff were.
Te Wananga a Rangi in 2006
Ministry Training Centre
The Amorangi ministry (self-supporting ministers serving within Te Aka Puaho) has been in operation since 1981 and is now 25 years old. The aim of the Ministry training centre is to provide access to theological education and reflection of both lay and ordained members of Te Aka Puaho.
Secondly, Te Wananga a Rangi will also offer courses of study and intensive live-ins to non-Maori in an effort to help better inform ministry and mission in Aotearoa – New Zealand . Te Wananga a Rangi belongs and serves not only Te Aka Puaho but the whole of the Presbyterian Church both locally, nationally and internationally.
Theological Library
Since 1934 Te Aka Puaho has maintained a theological library. When Te Wananga a Rangi was in full flight the library grew substantially due to collections and donations and a long-term loan system with the Hewitson library (library at the Presbyterian ministry training facility in Dunedin ). We are in the process of re-establishing this as a public library and have re-entered a partnership once again with the Hewitson library. Substantial donations of books have already been received from friends and well wishers.
Archives unit
The focus of the archives unit is maintaining and preserving our Maori church history as a public record of the interaction between Church and different iwi, hapu and whanau throughout the country. Secondly many taonga have been gifted to Ohope Marae from throughout the world. This makes our archives local, national and international.
Contextual Theology Research unit
The research unit will concentrate upon contextual theology that is both historical and contemporary. It is the only independent theological research unit operating in Aotearoa New Zealand . Other religious and academic institutions are now beginning to realise the importance of theological research and are requesting to work in partnership on some projects. Already there are a number of projects under way for the Wananga that will hopefully result in publications.
Resource unit
From the early 1920s to the late 1960 the Maori missions (then known as Te Hinota) maintained its own publication department called Te Waka Karaitiana. Its aim was to proclaim the Christian message in the Maori language. During its time it was one of the few Maori language publications available in the country. Later it moved from being a solely Maori language publication to being a bi-lingual publication.
The resource unit is based upon Te Waka Karaitiana and is charged with developing liturgical and educational resources that are bi-lingual and bi-cultural. There is no other organisation in the country dedicated to this purpose.
Finally, Te Wananga a Rangi is currently staffed by one person, Te Ahorangi o Te Wananga a Rangi who operates from Ohope Marae as a teaching base.