Views on the Office of Bishop of Aotearoa An item of some interest to the Maori Anglican population since the news of Bishop Panapa's resignation is, of course, his successor. Heading the list of likely candidates by virtue of seniority are the four Maori Canons, Canon S. Rangiihu of Te Whakatohea, Canon J. Tamahori of Ngati Porou, Canon Wi Huata of Kahungunu and Canon H. Taepa of Te Arawa. In a recent article in Te Kaunihera Maori, December issue. A. Mahuika argues that academic qualifications, confidence and ability in Maoritanga, and international experience are important prerequisites for eligibility for the office. Revd K. Te Hau of St Faith's pastorate, Rotorua, was inclined to stress the qualities of humility, sympathy, and understanding. He argues that a Bishop possessing these attributes is able to reach his people, and can communicate with them in a language they can appreciate. This, of course, extends the sphere of selection to include relatively unknown outsiders as well as those who feature regularly in public news. Whatever criteria is employed, the responsibility of selection rests entirely in the hands of the four North Island Bishops. They constitute the Selection Board, the convenor of which is Archbishop Lesser, who is also Diocesan Bishop of Waiapu. The subject of the Bishopric, if it were not part of the agenda, was very much to the fore in the minds of the delegates and lay people attending the Waiapu Diocesan Pastorate Conference at Murupara on 23–24 February. In his welcome speech, Mr H. Bird of Ngati Manawa set the mood when he stated on the marae that he hoped some decision would be made at this conference with regard to the Maori Bishop. A vain hope, undoubtedly, but he voiced an attitude shared by a large sector of his people, and more significantly his speech pointed to the interest that Ngati Manawa had in this important position. Sir Turi Carroll, chairman of the N.Z. Maori Council and a leading elder of the Kahungunu tribe, Wairoa, redirected attention to what he considered the primary concern of the moment. In a discussion on the Bishop of Aotearoa's residence he pointed out that this conference was ‘putting the cart before the horse’. ‘We need a Bishop first,’ he said, ‘and then we find a house’. While the meeting was in progress notice of a motion was proposed requesting that the conference be asked to examine fully the role of the Bishop of Aotearoa. I spoke later to those responsible for making the request, Mr Sonny Baker and Revd A. Mahuika. Three main reasons motivated the request for the discussion. First, they thought that the whole position of the Bishop of Aotearoa should be thoroughly examined, for few people actually appreciated the full import of the office. The discussion would question, for example, the rights and duties attaching to the Bishopric, the method of appointment of the Bishop, his significance and effectiveness to Anglicans generally. Then, given this information, combined with an awareness of modern Maori social trends, the conference could recommend amendments to regulations covering the Bishop of Aotearoa which would better equip the church in the performance of its duties. Finally, they recognize that the office of Bishop of Aotearoa is much more than an Anglican Bishopric—he holds a position of responsibility to all Maoris. Whether he likes it or not, once a man accepts the office of Bishop of Aotearoa, he automatically assumes a position—and a large one at that—as a leader of the race. So any assessment of the office and role of the Bishop of Aotearoa could not ignore this important aspect. As it was, the conference refused permission to allow an examination of the role of the Maori Bishop. Canon Rangiihu, opposing the request, said the conference as it was then convened was incompetent to handle the subject. He added that Canon Law clearly stated the regulations governing the office of Bishop of Aotearoa. Others supporting Canon Rangiihu said that a discussion would be time-consuming. Bishop Panapa, now retired from the post of Bishop of Aotearoa, supported them, stating that he was quite satisfied with the status quo and could see no need for reappraisal. Yet there is a certain amount of dissatisfaction with the office as it exists now. Among the ranks of the Bishops of New Zealand, the office of Bishop of Aotearoa presents some-