Second Maori Catholic Priest

Te Ao Hou, September 1962, Page 46

Father Henare Tate Second Maori Catholic Priest The Rev. Henare Arekatera Tate, who comes from Motuti, near Panguru, was ordained on 30 June as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first Maori ever to be ordained for the diocesan priesthood, and the second Maori ever to become a priest. Hundreds of Maoris from all over the country came to Auckland to be present at Father Tate's ordination and at his first Mass, and then to take part in a Maori reception for him in the Trades Hall in Hobson Street. This gathering was organized by an Auckland committee headed by Mrs Whina Cooper and Mr W. Hotere, and an estimated 2000 Maoris took part altogether in the various functions. Father W. Te Awhitu, the first Maori to become a priest, took part in the celebrations, and Father Tate's parents and other members of his family were also among the guests of honour. Father Tate will be returning to Panguru, in Northland.