The Church of ANZP is unique in the Anglican Communion in having three primates of the whole province, but with special responsibility for the three Tikangas, or geographical and cultural streams: Polynesia, Maori and Pakeha (people of European descent). Continue reading

She said: "We have to be mindful of the fact that Takuira has been gone now for about 10 years. That's quite a time for our people."

Bishop Takuira Max Mariu, the first and only Maori Catholic bishop, was appointed as auxiliary bishop of Hamilton by St Pope John Paul II in 1988.

He died in 2005, after serving the diocese for 17 years. Read more

"A lot of great Maori writers tend to explore Maori issues in a spiritual or Maori world," he says.

Awarau says his next play looks at the election of the first Maori Catholic bishop in New Zealand with a bit of a reality TV twist. "People can connect to that desire and want of competing for a prize."

Despite writing full time for New Zealand Woman's Weekly magazine, Awarau has managed to write, produce and stage the award-winning play, Luncheon, have his short films shown at international film festivals and try his hand at television production as well.

Awarau attended Hato Paora College, a boarding school in Fielding and as a 17-year-old travelled to New York to live with a Jewish family on an exchange for a year.

His final year was at Hawera High School.

"What shaped me as an artist really was my time in Hawera."

"Especially the Ronald Hugh Morrieson [Award]. It's that legacy that was most influential because when you're that young you're just writing and you really don't know if what you're doing is worth anything."
Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Taranaki Daily News
• Image: The Listener.co.nz