The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia
Primate: The Most Revd William Brown Turei
IAWN Contact:The Revd Carole Hughes
General
The Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia is probably regarded as being at the forefront of women's progress in the Church. On the surface if one is simply to take uncritical statistical evidence as a measure of progress then it would appear that great strides have been made. There are indeed many women, both lay and ordained, who hold leadership positions across the spectrum of church activities. What is now needed however is engaged research which explores the qualitative nature of the experience for women in various positions of leadership. This is one of the projects to be explored by the new Centre for Women's Studies.
While IAWN has a commitment to raising the profile of women across the spectrum of church leadership and decision making I am also conscious of the extraordinarily selfless work being done by so many women in the enduring fields of social services, mission agencies, Sunday School, youth groups, vestries, church choirs and myriad voluntary groups associated with the Church - so much of this work is both unheralded and in my view insufficiently recognised. Even as I notice this I know that the majority of women responsible for these core marks of God's mission are the least likely to either expect acknowledgment or recognition. They serve with such generosity and such humility as that is what they understand the Gospel imperative to be - it remains their faith example and their work is worthy of mention and celebration!
Women's issues and concerns
Overcoming patriarchy! The greatest obstacle to most women is still that of overcoming either their own fears and doubts derived from living uncritically with patriarchy or it is the actual day to day lived experience of having to struggle against patriarchy. Both in turn are equally debilitating. Other issues are access to theological training, the lack of financial and practical support for women clergy, particularly Maori women. No such priests receive stipends and while some have a chaplaincy role as well which may be paid, the majority pay for their ministry out of their own pensions or pockets. Most women clergy in Tikanga Maori receive no travel, book or housing allowance.
Vision for women
The visions promoted are those shared among all the women of my Province, and they are primarily to do with giving due honour to resolution ACC13/31, the MDGs and ensuring women have access to quality theological educational experiences regardless of where they live and work.
Women in decision making
Women in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia are fortunate to be well represented at all levels of the Church's decision-making bodies. There is significant representation of women at General Synod, Standing Committee and Diocesan levels. A number of our Diocesan Secretaries are women. The new Executive Officer for Te Kotahitanga, which is the national co-ordinating body for all theological educational institutions in the Province, is Paula Jakeman. Also the appointment of the Revd Helen Jacobi as Dean of the Napier Cathedral and the Revd Jo Kelly-Moore as Dean of the Diocese of Auckland gave great joy to many women. Helen was not only the first woman to be appointed as Cathedral Dean but she is also among a minority of New Zealanders currently holding Dean's positions in the local Church! The longest-service Dean of the Theological College is a woman! The issue with which we are concerned is not so much the numbers of women (quantity) but ensuring the highest quality of our representation. We are cautious about the risks to us all of token representation.
Ordination of women
Deacons: Since 1977
Priests: Since 1977. Many hundreds of ordained women.
Bishops: Since 1977. Two: one retired, one elected in March 2008
Again, we are fortunate in Aotearoa, New Zealand and latterly in Polynesia to have a long history of support for women's ordination as priests and bishops. I do not have accurate figures but certainly for priests and deacons there are hundreds!
Activities related to the MDGs and Beijing Platform for Action
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs and a wide range of related peace and justice initiatives are regularly and readily received as motions for action within our General Synod. We have a full-time Social Justice Commissioner, supported by an active and representative Commission who also have responsibility for promoting and embedding the Gospel imperatives for social justice and for peace and all of these things are within my own teaching portfolio for all students at the Provincial Theological College. These are some of the groups which help promote women's and justice issues within our church:
- National Social Justice Commissioner
- Mothers' Union
- Anglican Women's Association
- IAWN
- Nga Kahui Wahine
- Pacific Women's Groups
- Social Justice Commission and Commissioner
- And many other NGOs
Women's organizations
Church: Centre for Women's Studies, Anglican Women's Association
Secular: National Council of Women