Te Hauoterangi (Howard) and Gladys Karaka serve as Māori Evangelists with Te Pīhopatanga o te Manawa o te Wheke in the Port Waikato area. The Māori Evangelist initiative was an invitation for NZCMS to renew the old relationships the first CMS missionaries had with Māori in the 19th century. Howard was the first ‘new’ evangelist to partner with NZCMS in 2018, and his wife Gladys has recently joined him in this ministry.
In December 2022, Howard and Gladys came to the NZCMS office with a taonga (gift). They wanted to give NZCMS something that represented this partnership and relationship that has been formed between two people that had been divided; a ‘tying together’ of Te Puaha o Waikato (Port Waikato) and NZCMS.
Intending to give a taonga to NZCMS, Howard went to one of the ladies in his congregation and asked her to make something for us. Her name is Rereoke Shaw. He explained what he wanted the gift to represent, this partnership, and she suggested she hand make a Korowai (feathered cloak). This took her months to complete as she intentionally and prayerfully chose each element of the Korowai and hand-sewed them together.
“The korowai is very sacred to Māori,” Howard said. “It represents love, peace, unity and restoration. This Korowai represents the broken relationship being restored by God between NZCMS and the people of Te Puaha O Waikato, as we truly stand in unity.
“I believe God is bringing healing to Tangata Whenua and Pakeha. This gift represents this healing between two peoples. It represents the act of God putting NZCMS and Māori back together again. That we are now made one people, covered together by the love and presence of God.”
Our National Director, Rosie Fyfe, pictured wearing the Korowai with Howard and Gladys Karaka.
We have a vision to partner with ten full time Māori Evangelists across New Zealand. Learn how you can support Māori Evangelism.
Thank you, Tessa. I remember Ray (and Jean) very warmly from our time at St Tim’s before we left for St John’s College at the beginning of 1987, and was excited many years later to learn of their visit to the Elliotts in Uganda. (We visited them in 1997 on study leave.) That visit, and a later one, showed their quiet growth in faith and mission during the years. I praise God for Ray’s life and service, and pray for the Comforter’s presence to be so close to Jean.
Hey there,
A friend of mine told me about you guys and I’d love to come along on Monday!
Cheers,
Caleb Croker
Hi Caleb, I’ve just seen your message. I apologise that this was missed. I assume you’re talking about the Seriously Interested in Mission group? The next one is August 11 and we’d love you to join. Can you email us at office@nzcms.org.nz (Rosie writing here)
Thank you Tessa
Thank you Archdeacon Fran. Mothers Union appreciated your input when we visited the Far North recently. Your wisdom and wise counsel made it a memorable weekend. God bless you in your new role.
Rev Fran, you and Rapiata are a gift to the Church. May the Lord bless you as you serve in this next season
With reference to the article ‘By invitation not invasion’. My husband and I were involved with CMS from the 1960s onward and this was always the attitude of CMS leadership. They deferred to the church leadership opinions whenever possible, wherever there was a local church. I’m not aware if this has change. It isn’t something new.
Hi Pauline,
I agree with you!! I don’t think this has changed, just good to re-iterate why and we send mission partners. This is Rosie writing — hope you’re doing well!
Yes Pauline it was the same for Alan and me. When we went to Singapore 1966–69 it was in response to a request from the Bishop oof Singapore and Malaya.