thing of an anomaly. The Bishop has no diocese of his own, but acts as assistant Bishop to the Bishop of Waiapu. Therefore he has none of the responsibilities which confront a Diocesan Bishop of which his most constant and pressing worry is the raising of funds. He is not selected in the normal way, but is appointed, and he holds full voting rights in General Synod despite his status as assistant Bishop. Mr Baker, a leading layman of the Turanga pastorate, Gisborne, disagreed that there was no need to re-examine the office, and was particularly critical of the means of appointing the Bishop. Neither clergy nor laity had a voice in the decision. A Diocesan Bishopric on the other hand, is an elective position; representatives of the clergy and laity meet in Diocesan Synod to vote, so that the appointment is a result of a majority decision in Synod. In an interview with Canon J. Tamahori at the conference, I asked how he thought the Maori Anglican community could express an opinion, given the opportunity. He said that the Bishop of Aotearoa should continue to be appointed by a Selection Board such as currently exists, but it should be assisted and guided in its choice by an advisory committee. The advisory committee could consist of prominent laymen of each diocese in which lived sufficient Maori Anglican population to justify membership of it. He thought too that the office of Bishop of Aotearoa was still necessary to the Maori people. He had observed that large numbers of young Maoris had moved out of the East Coast, Northland and King Country, many to settle in the South Island as well as urban centres of the North Island. In view of this transmigration there was a greater need for a Bishop of Aotearoa than ever before. The 1966 census reveals that in urban areas which fall under the Waiapu diocesan boundary, such as Napier, Hastings, Tauranga, Rotorua and Gisborne, 10% of the total Maori population is located. Despite the fact that the figures given pertain to urban areas only, still the greater proportion of the Maori population lies outside the Waiapu Diocesan district. If the Bishop of Aotearoa is to be an effective leader of his Maori followers, the greatest demand will come from outside his officially designated district which is Waiapu. But his power in reaching this section of the people is dependent upon the granting of a commission by the Bishop of the diocese which he purposes visiting. Therefore, while officially recognised as ‘Bishop of Aotearoa’ he is so, in fact, only at the request of the Diocesan Bishops of New Zealand. Archbishop Lesser stated publicly in a farewell ceremony to Bishop Panapa, that he looked forward to a time when, ‘the office will fall into abeyance and that a Maori priest will be appointed as a Diocesan Bishop so that the appointment is not consequent upon race, but simply ability to assume the responsibility of office.’ In view of the current mode in which Diocesan Bishops are appointed, the likelihood of a Maori succeeding to the office appears politically unfeasible. The most up-to-date figures disclose too great a gap between Maori and Pakeha parishioners of any diocese for the scheme to eventuate democratically. An alternative proposal by Revd A. Mahuika favours abolishing the office and appointing a Maori with his own Diocese, including too its consequent responsibilities and privileges. In this capacity the Maori Bishop would have jurisdiction over Pakeha and Maori parishes and pastorates, and would enjoy equal status with the other Bishops. An important side effect of this diocese would be the provision of a testing ground for New Zealand, of the extent and sincerity of European willingness for integration. If changes are envisaged to the office of Bishop of Aotearoa the decision rests ultimately with General Synod. Three houses constitute General Synod, and any alterations to the canons or constitution would require a majority vote in each house before it can take effect. If a proposed change is lost in any one of the houses then the issue is defeated. General Synod meets once every two years and since the next meeting is scheduled for April of this year, perhaps greater interest will be attracted to Synod proceedings among the Maori community than there has been in the past. Kiri Haira