Ngā Pou Amorangi (NPA) was launched in 2019 to equip students for gospel ministry within Māori and bicultural contexts. It was designed to contain four main elements: theological study, weekly formation hui, supervised placements, and weekend wānanga. 

From the beginning, the intention was that a significant number of NPA students, as part of their training, would complete Carey’s NZQA-accredited Diploma of Applied Theology or Bachelor of Applied Theology. It was envisaged that, as the number of these students grew, their tuition fees and associated government funding would cover the costs of the programme.

In 2020, and then again in 2022, Carey was able to secure seed funding to support the programme through to the end of 2024, when – it was forecast – there would be enough students completing either the Diploma of Applied Theology or Bachelor of Applied Theology to cover the ongoing costs of the programme. Unfortunately, due to small numbers of students completing these academic credentials, it has become clear to us that the programme is not sustainable within the Carey context.

Rewai Te Kahu, Denise Tims, Luke Kaa-Morgan and Principal John Tucker recently met to discuss the future of Ngā Pou Amorangi. As they discussed the financial challenge, Rewai Te Kahu, who has been delivering this programme since 2021, indicated that he would be willing to continue hosting the programme outside of the Carey environment from 2025 onwards. Rewai has approached Te Whāriki, a Māori advisory group and received their approval and support for Ngā Pou Amorangi to be taught and delivered from his base in Northland, with students joining online from across the country.

This means that, while it will no longer be part of the Carey ecosystem, NPA will continue to serve the Māori community. Of course, any NPA students who wish to study theology as part of their formation can still enrol separately in one of Carey’s NZQA programmes.

John Tucker, Carey’s Principal says,

“I’m keen to stress that this decision does not signal in any way a departure from Carey’s Tiriti hikoi. We are committed to this journey, to this partnership. It is a priority, and will continue to be a priority, for the College. We have just developed a new strategic plan for Carey’s next 10 years. It highlights our deep desire to be a learning community to which Māori are drawn, a learning community in which Māori flourish, and a learning community from which Māori will emerge with the knowledge, skills, spirituality and character to serve the gospel effectively wherever the Spirit takes them.”

Over the coming year, with Luke’s guidance, and the support of Baptist Māori, we will be seeking to discern how Carey can best contribute in the coming season to the training of Māori leaders for gospel service. We look forward to seeing how the Lord leads us.