Mandate

1.1 Te Rūnanga o te Hāhi Katorika ki Aotearoa (here on referred to as Te Rūnanga) is a Commission of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference (NZCBC).
1.2 Te Rūnanga will advise the NZCBC and individual bishops on matters concerning Māori within the Catholic Church and in society in general.
1.3 Te Rūnanga will seek the assistance of other experts in tikanga, reo and in theological, pastoral, liturgical, canonical and civil matters.
1.4 Te Rūnanga is funded by the NZCBC.

2.1 To advise the NZCBC and individual bishops on all matters relating to the Pastoral Care of Catholic Māori.
2.2 To promote the Evangelisation of Māori.
2.3 To promote and defend the spiritual, cultural, educational and social well being of Māori.
2.4 To provide a means of communication between all members, sectors, races and organisations of the Catholic Church.
2.5 To discern the needs of Māori and advise on practical action.
2.6 To stimulate a Christ like response to the spiritual, cultural, educational and social issues and needs of the Māori people and foster racial and cultural understanding.
2.7 To promote among Māori, vocations to the priesthood, religious life, deaconate and lay leadership.
2.8 To appoint representatives to other organisations which can assist in the promotion of these aims and objectives.
2.9 To appoint representative(s) to, and work closely with, Te Rūnanga Whakawhanaunga i Nga Hāhi o Aotearoa.
2.10 To establish and maintain a permanent and fulltime secretariat.

3.1 Members of Te Rūnanga shall be chosen to represent the Catholic Māori people from each Catholic Diocese of Aotearoa/New Zealand. There shall be two appointees from each Diocese.
3.2 The members from each Diocese shall be approved by the Diocesan ordinary.
3.3 There shall be two members elected from Te Kahui o te Ariki.
3.4 Up to two additional appointments can be made from other appropriate Māori Catholic organisations, subject to the endorsement of Conference Deputy to the Commission.
3.5 The term of the appointment shall be for three years.
3.6 The Conference Deputy shall be appointed by the NZCBC.
3.7 Te Rūnanga shall be free to co-opt people to assist Te Rūnanga in fulfilling its pastoral mandate. Co-opted members shall not have voting rights.

4.1 The President of Te Rūnanga shall be the Conference Deputy appointed by the NZCBC.
4.2 Te Rūnanga shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among its members. The Vice Chairperson shall chair the meetings if and whenever its Chairperson chooses not to or is otherwise unable to do so.
4.3 Te Rūnanga shall appoint a secretary.

5.1 The Executive of Te Rūnanga shall comprise the Conference Deputy, the Chairperson, the Secretary, the Treasurer and one other nominated by the Conference Deputy.
5.2 The executive shall meet at least twice a year.

6.1 Te Rūnanga shall hold a minimum of two (2) national meetings per year.
6.2 The first meeting shall be held in February which will give time for Te Rūnanga to discuss matters which need to be presented to the Low Week meeting of the NZCBC.
6.3 The second meeting shall be held in August/September to give time for any issues to be discussed prior to the October meeting of the NZCBC.
6.4 Te Rūnanga representatives from each Diocese shall meet with their local Ordinary at least once a year.
6.5 Te Rūnanga Diocesan representatives are encouraged to meet to discuss matters which affect their respective Dioceses.
6.6 Special meetings of Te Rūnanga may be called by the Conference Deputy.

Te Rūnanga o te Hāhi Katorika ki Aotearoa