Parish of Waipaoa

Waipaoa
Waipaoa is a multi-centred parish on the Poverty Bay flats, based around the church of St Luke’s at Waerenga-a-hika. The history of Waerenga-a-hika is sobering and pivotal to the formation of the Waiapu Diocese and the long-term relationship between Maori and Pakeha in Poverty Bay, and beyond, but St Luke’s sits serenely within its community and provides an hospitable base for an energetic smaller parish.

Contact:
Waipaoa Parish,
St Luke’s Vicarage,
Waerenga-a-hika,
Gisborne RD1

Vicar: Details to follow
Ph:
Email: 

Worship:
Liturgical in style, with blend of traditional and contemporary music. Congregations small, so preaching tends to be conversational.

  • St George’s at Patutahi - service held every 3rd Sunday at 9.30am.
  • St Luke’s at Waerenga-a-hika - 9.30am service on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.  
  • On months with a 5th Sunday we occasionally combined services with Gisborne Parish and sometimes our usual service at St Luke’s.


Ethos: Friendly, hospitable and supportive. Typically Anglican, with no pressure to toe a theological line; hard to be inconspicuous; large group of parishioners who come occasionally but belong by helping in parish activities.

Ethnicity: Almost all Pakeha; however, some Te Reo used in liturgy and hymns. Parish now recovering its history as the centre of major events involving Maori and Pakeha in 19th century.

Children: Talk and activity during 9.30am service at Waerenga-a-hika; children encouraged to take various roles in worship.

Social: Morning tea after Waeranga-a-hika service; combined services on patronal days, with festive morning tea.

Training: Two study groups each year (including Lent); two Quiet Days open to other parishes.

Outreach: Bible in schools for years 1-6; parish supports two foodbanks and Anglican Care pre-school centre in Gisborne; provides Christmas boxes for families at pre-school centre; and hosts Easter picnic and egg hunt for children and mothers.

Highlights: Christmas and Easter; carol services; St Francis pets’ day; making of Christmas cake on Stir-up Sunday; All Souls’ Day; various patronal festivals; combined service with rohe at Toko Toru Tapu, Manutuke.