Rāwiri is a member of Henderson Baptist Church and is nominated by Sacha Olson.

I believe that I can contribute a theologically considered and Māori informed perspective to important conversations and governance decisions that are timely for our Baptist family of churches.

With Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa whakapapa and a strong lifelong generational connection to Baptist churches, Rāwiri is a big picture, strategic thinker, with extensive church and community leadership experience. He is great at understanding issues and contributing a Māori perspective to decision making. Rāwiri will take a particular interest in insuring the foundations are there to see Māori flourish in our churches and faith communities.

—Rāwiri brings strong experience in governance, including 10 years on Mission Council as well as several community based organisations.

—20 years experience in pastoral ministry in Baptist churches (2000-2021)

—Currently in senior leadership at Vision West, providing leadership to a number of kaupapa Māori services. (2021-current)

—Rāwiri has researched Baptist and Māori engagement throughout our Baptist history in Aotearoa as part of his Masters through Carey Baptist College.

Our Baptist family is in a season of reviewing and progressing our understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and partnership within our churches and faith communities. Rāwiri can provide a Māori perspective that is grounded in our Baptist history, with a desire to see all people, including Māori flourish in our Baptist whānau.

From the church leadership: We wholeheartedly support Rāwiri Auty’s desire to contribute a Māori perspective to Assembly Council, which we believe will allow all peoples in our New Zealand Baptist churches to flourish more fully.

Get to know Rāwiri:

Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa tōku iwi; ko Ngāi Tamaterangi te tangata.

I am Māori and I value my whakapapa and am proud to be tangata whenua. I am also a forth generation NZ Baptist and am shaped by our collective understanding of faith and life. I believe that I hold a unique and helpful perspective in our Baptist family of churches and can make a positive contribution to governance and decision making at this important time of review and change.

Having been a Baptist Pastor for more than 20 years (Henderson Baptist 2000-2004 & 2015-2021; Rotorua Baptist 2004-2010, and; Hawera Baptist 2010-2015), and now as part of the Senior Leadership team at Visionwest Waka Whakakitenga – where I lead a number of kaupapa Māori services – I am passionate about the intersection between our faith communities and the wider community. I have expressed this passion throughout my pastoral and community based career, and also at a governance level by being an elected member of NZBMS Mission Council (2011-2021) and through involvement in several community organisations and boards.

As part of my Master’s thesis I researched Baptist and Māori engagement through our Baptist history in Aotearoa and have a good understanding of the issues and challenges in this space – past, present and future. I believe that I can make a valuable contribution in helping to ensure that our foundations are strong so that we might see Māori flourish, alongside all others, in our churches and faith communities.