Leo Te Kira

30 years ago while at Victoria University pursuing a degree in Maori Studies for  a Secondary School teaching career Leo was confronted by the ideas of a number of lecturers and students. They asserted that Maori needed to leave their faith in a Hebrew God and return to  the atua-inanimate  forces of their own culture in order to remain consistent to their  Mana Maori-commitment to being Maori. Although he ultimately didn’t ascribe to their reasoning he has remained mindful and respectful of their perspectives.  

Leo’s  presentation will be a starting point for thought,  discussion and debate on why he remains a Christ follower while still remaining passionately committed to his own  mana Maori..

Leo Te Kira (Ngati Porou) is an Anglican priest of 20 years having served in parishes both Maori and Pakeha, urban and rural. He is currently priest at St Augustine’s and St Luke’s in Napier – as well as Kaiwhakamarama Maori-Maori Advisor for Anglican Care in his Central and Eastern North Island Anglican Diocese of Waiapu.

Tuesday 23 June 7pm