Adopted by the Baptist Union of New Zealand at its National Hui in Te Papa-i-Oea Palmerston North in November 2025

Click here to download a PDF of the Rules of Te Rūnanga and Te Whāriki of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, adopted in November 2025.

Ngāi Iriiri Māori desire to constitute as Te Rūnanga. Te Rūnanga is formed in the gathering of Baptist Māori at Hui-ā-Māori.

Ngāi Iriiri Māori desire that Te Whāriki be the governance leadership group of Te Rūnanga elected from Te Rūnanga within Te Hāhi Iriiri. Te Whāriki serves to assist Te Hāhi Iriiri in supporting ngā tangata Māori and the entire movement as we seek discipleship, relationship and worship of our Saviour.

1. He kōrero whakataki – Introduction

1.1 The constituting of Te Rūnunga is an outworking of the Baptist Union of New Zealand’s Treaty Affirmation Statement.

1.2 Ngāi Iriiri Māori (at the Baptist Hui-a-Māori on 5 July 2025) and the National Council of the Baptist Union of New Zealand (at the National Council meeting of 12 April 2025) together agree to the formation of Te Rūnanga and of the governance leadership group known as Te Whāriki.

1.3 Those appointed to Te Whāriki agree to be bound by these Rules of Te Rūnanga and Te Whāriki.

1.4 The Baptist Union of New Zealand acknowledges and supports these rules.

2. Te Rūnanga membership

2.1 There shall be an Annual Hui-ā-Māori each year which shall be the formation of Te Rūnanga.

(a) Notice of this annual Hui-ā-Māori will be provided to all Members of Te Rūnanga, to Ngāi Iriiri Māori and to Baptist Churches at least two (2) months in advance, in writing.

2.2 A Special Hui-ā-Māori may be called by Te Whāriki for matters that involve Te Runanga and that cannot wait for the annual Hui-ā-Māori.

(a) Notice of this Special Hui-ā-Māori shall be provided to all Members of Te Rūnanga o Te Hāhi Iriiri at least two (2) weeks in advance, in writing.

2.3 All in-person participants of Hui-ā-Māori, or of any properly called and constituted Special Hui-a-Māori, will make up the Members of Te Rūnanga.

2.4 A list of Members of Te Rūnanga will be kept and updated each year at the Hui-ā-Māori and at any properly called and constituted Special Hui-a-Māori.

2.5 All Members of Te Rūnanga are to support, engage and nurture the ministry to ngā tangata Māori and all.

2.6 To be eligible to vote, Members of Te Rūnanga must whakapapa Māori and be a member of a Baptist faith community or Baptist entity; and/or be seconded to Te Whāriki.

2.7 Members of Te Rūnanga are responsible for providing their name, Baptist affiliation, whakapapa Māori and contact details on an official register for the Hui-ā-Māori or at any properly called and constituted additional gathering.

Te Hāhi Iriiri Hauhake o Aotearoa Charitable Trust

2.8 All Members of Te Rūnanga who attend the Hui-ā-Māori in person, and are otherwise eligible to vote, will be entitled to one (1) vote on the appointment of Trustees for the Te Haahi Iriiri Hauhake o Aotearoa Charitable Trust.

3. Tā mātou mahi o Te Whāriki – Role of Te Whāriki

3.1 Te Whāriki is a governance leadership group, formed as set out in rule 7.

3.2 Te Whāriki will communicate collective actions, decisions or discussion points to Ngāi Iriiri Māori, Baptist Churches, and other interested stakeholders.

4. Ko te take – Purposes of Te Whāriki

4.1 The purposes of Te Whāriki are to lead, empower and enable Te Hāhi Iriiri to grow in relationship with Ihu Karaiti, and to assist Te Hāhi Iriiri in supporting ngā tangata Māori and the entire movement as we seek discipleship, relationship and worship of our Saviour.

4.2 In carrying out the purposes the following will be followed:

4.3 Mana Whakahaere

(a) to provide leadership to Ngāi Iriiri Māori and the movement on behalf of Te Rūnanga; and

(b) in a similar way to how the National Council is the “National Hui between Hui”, Te Whāriki is “the Rūnanga between Hui ā Māori”.

4.4 Kaitiakitanga

(a) to act as guardians of Baptist Māori work and its various expressions across the motu, through encouragement, tautoko and support; and

(b) to partner with National Council and other groups of the Baptist Union in the spirit of the Baptist Treaty Affirmation Statements.

4.5 Whakakitenga Iriiri Māori

(a) to hear the vision of Baptist Māori hopes, dreams and aspirations.

(b) to hold a vision for unity in Christ’s body, within the diversity that we celebrate; and

(c) kia kotahi tatou – we come together when we find unity in Christ!

5. Ngā mātāpono – Principles of Te Whāriki

5.1 Te Whāriki will operate with reference to these principles:

(a) Manaakitanga – Whakamana (respect) our Baptist brothers and sisters: Support and encourage Baptist Māori work/workers across the motu.

(b) Tikanga – He Tika – He Pono – to guide discourse and make high level decisions around the priorities and focus of Baptist Māori. To determine together those things that are good and right for the flourishing of Māori in our Baptist family of churches and beyond for particular seasons and contexts.

(c) Wairuatanga – to be a distinctly Christ centred and Baptist oriented expression of Māori believers. To seek to discern the mind of Christ together, through the power of the Holy Spirit, as a distinct gathering of God’s people who are Māori and associated with Baptist faith communities.

5.2 Whanaungatanga – partnering with the Baptist Union and National Council to provide leadership to our movement.

6. The makeup of Te Whāriki (Paepae)

6.1 There will be a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of nine (9) people elected to Te Whāriki.

6.2 Up to three (3) additional people may be seconded if required, to fill gaps and provide professional skills or matauranga that may otherwise be missing from Te Whāriki. Seconded people do not have to whakapapa Māori or be a Member of a Baptist Church.

6.3 Te Whāriki will nominate two (2) Pou Tikanga roles to be filled by one (1) tāne and one (1) wahine.

6.4 If at any time there are less than the minimum number of people elected to Te Whāriki set out in clause 6.1, the existing paepae may appoint additional people to be in place up until the next Hui-a-Māori.

6.5 There may be Members of Te Rūnanga who, from time to time, will be called upon to act as Kaumātua of Te Hāhi Iriiri.

6.6 All those on Te Whāriki, including those seconded, will have voting rights as Members of Te Rūnanga.

7. Hei whakatū – Appointment of Te Whāriki

7.1 All Te Rūnanga Members, who attend the Hui-ā-Māori in person, will be eligible for one (1) vote on the appointment of people to make up Te Whāriki. Each Te Rūnanga Member may exercise that one (1) vote for up to nine (9) people nominated to Te Whāriki as per clause 6.1.

7.2 Voting will be by a show of hands unless a secret ballot is requested by ten (10) or more attendees, at the discretion of the Chair. If a secret ballot is agreed, the Chair may appoint a scrutineer.

7.3 A 2/3 majority will be required for a nominee to be elected to Te Whāriki.

7.4 No proxy or postal votes are permitted.

7.5 Nominations for Te Whāriki may be made from the floor at the Hui-ā-Māori. Nominations may be provided by email in exceptional circumstances. Individuals nominated to be elected to Te Whāriki must whakapapa Māori and be a Member of a Baptist faith community or Baptist entity.

7.6 Prior to their appointment, all prospective nominees must consent and agree to adhere to these Rules.

7.7 Te Whāriki will be considered a Board of the Baptist Union under clause 26 of the Baptist Union constitution. Those elected to Te Whāriki will be collectively ratified by the National Hui of the Baptist Union on the recommendation and request of Te Rūnanga.

8. Te Whāriki terms of service

8.1 Those appointed to Te Whāriki under clauses 6.1 will serve for a term of three (3) years initially, and will be eligible to serve for up to three (3) consecutive terms before being required to stand down for one (1) year prior to being eligible for re-election.

8.2 Those appointed by secondment to Te Whāriki under clause 6.2, will serve for a one (1) year term and can be seconded for a maximum of (3) consecutive terms. If eligible a person seconded to Te Whāriki may stand for election at a Hui-ā-Māori.

9. Removal or resigning from Te Whāriki

9.1 A person on Te Whāriki will cease to hold office if they:

(a) in the opinion of a majority of all others on Te Whāriki, become physically or mentally incapable of acting and that this majority has passed a resolution confirming their opinion

(b) die

(c) are convicted of a criminal offence which, in the opinion of a majority of all others on Te Whāriki, makes his or her position undesirable and that this majority has passed a resolution confirming their opinion.

(d) is absent without leave for two (2) consecutive meetings of Te Whāriki without a reason acceptable to Te Whāriki (such as a tangi)

(e) is requested to resign by notice in writing signed by no less than two-thirds (2/3) of all others on Te Whāriki; or

(f) retires or resigns by giving written notice to Te Whāriki

10. Te Whāriki powers

10.1 Te Whāriki may:

(a) use Funds as deemed necessary or proper in payment of actual costs and expenses, including the employment of professional advisers, agents, officers and staff, provided that the expenditure is:

(i) being used to further the purposes set out in rule 4; and

(ii) first agreed by a majority resolution of Te Whāriki

(b) reimburse for any expenses incurred by anyone on Te Whāriki in their role, provided these have been first broadly pre-agreed to

(c) convene meetings with other people and groups to further the purposes set out in rule 4

(d) form sub-committees to help in the performing of any tasks

(e) only enter into contracts or agreements if agreed by a resolution meeting seventy five percent (75%) majority

11. Whanaungatanga ki a National Council – relationship with National Council

11.1 The intention is for a close and collegial relationship to exist and be actively nurtured between Te Whāriki and the National Council, for the sake of extending the Lord’s Kingdom in Aotearoa. A memorandum of understanding will detail the working relationship between Te Whāriki and National Council.

11.2 The relationship will involve:

(a) Mutual support through advice, partnership and sharing;

(b) Cooperation with Baptist churches, regional leaders and groups across the motu; and

(c) Working in support of regional priorities.

12. Conflicts of interest

12.1 Te Whāriki will maintain an Interests Register.

12.2 No one on Te Whāriki can vote on any matter in which they have any personal or pecuniary interest or in which any company or other body in which they have a personal or financial interest in has any pecuniary interest.

12.3 Anyone on Te Whāriki who becomes aware that they have or may have an interest of the type referred to in clause 12.2 must immediately declare that interest to Te Whāriki and with sufficient detail to ensure full and fair disclosure.

12.4 All those on Te Whāriki must act in good faith in all such matters.

13. Ngā kōrero o ngā hui – Minutes of meetings

13.1 Minutes must be kept for all Hui-ā-Māori; Special Hui-a-Māori, and; Te Whāriki Hui.

14. Ngā puțea – Funds

14.1 Te Whāriki may hold funds for the purposes above. They may be held by the Baptist Union in accounts governed by Te Whāriki, or within other accounts and arrangements authorised by the National Council.

14.2 Te Whāriki must ensure that there are appropriate and up to date financial and accounting policies in place to safeguard Te Rūnanga and the Baptist Union from financial risks including fraud, embezzlement, money laundering and any other form of financial theft or loss.

15. Ngā hui o Te Whāriki – Meetings

15.1 Te Whāriki will hold regular Hui at least four (4) times each year.

15.2 A “Special Meeting” of Te Whāriki can be called by anyone on Te Whāriki, provided all others are given fourteen (14) days’ notice in writing of such Special Meeting.

15.3 Hui tikanga will be observed.

15.4 No meeting of Te Whāriki may transact any business unless a quorum is present.

15.5 A quorum must be such number as will be at least fifty percent (50%) of the number of people on Te Whāriki as set out in 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 , provided that the quorum for a Special Meeting must be not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the number of people on Te Whāriki.

15.6 Upon any matter to be decided or business to be transacted at a meeting of Te Whāriki each person personally present will have one (1) vote.

15.7 Unless otherwise determined, the number of votes required to reach any decision will be:

(a) For a general meeting, not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the number of people on Te Whāriki present at such meeting; and

(b) For a Special Meeting, not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the number of people on Te Whāriki present at such meeting.

15.8 A resolution in writing (including by way of email) signed or assented to by not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the number of people on Te Whāriki will be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a hui of Te Whāriki, and a resolution in writing signed by all those on Te Whāriki will be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a Special Meeting of the full group. Any such resolution may consist of several documents (including email messages assenting to the resolution, scanned copies of signed resolutions and other similar means of communication) each signed or assented to by one (1) or more of those on Te Whāriki.

15.9 Meetings may be conducted by telephone conference, video conference or any similar means of electronic, audio or audio-visual communication, provided that they can hear each other well enough to follow the discussion throughout the meeting.

For the purposes of establishing a quorum and voting on any matter to be decided or business to be transacted as a meeting of Te Whāriki, attending in accordance with the provisions of this clause will be deemed to be present at the meeting.

15.10 Where any procedural requirement set forth in these Rules may be found not to have been complied with, any subsequent meeting of the Te Whāriki may ratify and confirm any earlier action purported to have been taken or done by or on behalf of Te Whāriki.

15.11 Those who make up Te Whāriki may decide among themselves if there will be a chairperson of Te Whāriki and whether that person will have a casting vote.

16. Ngā whakarerekē – Amendments

16.1 Te Whāriki may amend these Rules as they see fit by unanimous resolution, provided that:

(a) they have first discussed the proposed changes with the National Council and the National Council is in agreement; and

(b) they have proposed and approved these changes at a gathering of Te Rūnanga at a Hui-ā-Māori; and

(c) the changes would not modify the Purposes set out in clause 4 of these Rules.

17. Hei mutu – Wind up

17.1 Only at such times as Te Rūnanga becomes redundant, or is replaced by another entity, may Members of Te Rūnanga proceed to wind up Te Rūnanga and Te Whāriki. This can be done by the passing of a resolution to wind up carried by a 2/3 majority resolution of Te Rūnanga at a meeting called for such purpose, provided that those on Te Whāriki have first discussed the proposed wind up with the National Council and the National Council agrees it is the appropriate course of action.

17.2 Upon a winding up for any reason, any remaining funds are to be transferred to Baptist Union New Zealand for specific purpose of ministry to Māori.

18. Definitions and interpretation

18.1 Unless the context otherwise requires the following expressions will have the meaning ascribed to them:

(a) “National Council” means the National Council that is appointed at the Baptist National Hui.

(b) “Purposes” means the purposes set out rule 2.

(c) “Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Iriiri Māori” (Te Rūnanga) means the collective group of Maori that attend and participate in the annual Hui-ā-Māori and are affiliated to the Baptist Union.

(d) “Members of Te Rūnanga” means those who together form Te Rūnanga.

(e) “Te Whāriki” means the governance leadership group of Te Rūnanga.

(f) “Te Hāhi Iriiri Hauhake o Aotearoa Charitable Trust” is a charitable trust with charitable status, incorporated on 29 August 2001.

(g) “Ngāi Iriiri Māori” means the collective total of all Baptist Māori.