Two Worlds Together
Amorangi Thompson (nō Ngāti Maniapoto te iwi, ko Te Tokanganui-a-Noho te whare tīpuna) attends at Napier Corps (church). She serves as the business administrator and is part of the worship team for Sunday morning services and for Recovery Church on Sunday evenings.
I am from the small town of Te Kuiti. I’ve always worked in hospitality, but in 2022, I felt a strong calling to move to Hawke’s Bay from North Shore, Auckland, where my husband and I were living at the time.
During the journey, my husband asked me, ‘What do you want to do for work here?’ Without hesitation, I replied, ‘I would love to work in admin, and on the frontlines with more vulnerable people’. He was surprised, as I had no formal experience in administration, yet I felt a deep desire in my heart to serve in this way.
By the grace of God, I was offered the role of business administrator at Napier Corps. For the past three years, I have had the incredible privilege of serving God, our whānau (family) and our community in this role.
I have also had the great privilege of working alongside kaumātua (elder) Mark Hawkins within the Māori Ministry space, bringing kapa haka to our region and journeying alongside our staff, volunteers and community as they explore and grow in their understanding of te ao Māori.
Season of transformation
If you had asked me a year ago whether I would ever receive a moko kauae (facial tattoo), I would have confidently said no. I never had the desire, and I was content with that decision. But this year, something shifted. I felt a stirring in my wairua (spirit), an unexplainable sense that God was preparing me for something new. Not just a small change, but an entirely new path.
What followed was a season of deep transformation. God began to build me up, then break me down, then rebuild me again. It wasn’t always comfortable, but it was undeniably holy. Piece by piece, He restored parts of me I didn’t even realise needed healing. He grew in me a new confidence—to sing and worship Him boldly, to teach and to lead. Through kapa haka that honours Him, He awakened a courage to step forward, and a desire to explore te ao Māori in ways that reveal His heart for our people.
Navigating two worlds
Throughout this journey, God placed me in spaces where I witnessed something powerful: that my people can be Māori and still glorify God, just as He intended.
I have had the privilege of carrying His presence into places where He has sent me, and there I have watched Him move—touching hearts, performing miracles, bringing healing and revealing His love in ways only He can. Through it all, He has shown me that He created Māori intentionally, beautifully and for a profound purpose. Today, I can say with a full heart: I am proud to be Māori.
So when the stirring within me grew stronger, I finally recognised it: my moko kauae was not just about cultural identity, but about calling. It was God’s confirmation to me that you can carry a kauae and live for Jesus. That these two worlds—te ao Māori and the kingdom of God—were always meant to stand together, not apart. In receiving my kauae, I said yes to the purpose He has placed on my life.
When God spoke to me, His message was clear: ‘This kauae will be a living testimony, it will bring two worlds together’. In that moment, I realised that the moko kauae I was to receive was not mine to claim, it belonged to God.
I had a vision of receiving it in our own church here at Napier Corps. At first I thought it was unusual—traditionally, my people would have this sacred ceremony on our marae. But I understood that God had a different purpose for me. Trusting in His guidance, I wrote to the Mission Board at Napier Corps. Their response was full of encouragement and support. They prayed for me and my whānau every step of the way. When the board accepted my request, I fell to my knees and wept. It was confirmation: this was not just an ordinary event. People were going to encounter God’s presence in a profound way, and I had the privilege of serving in that sacred space.
On the day of my moko kauae, our church whānau and staff welcomed my whānau—over 50 people who had travelled from near and far. We began with a mihi whakatau, formally greeting everyone and opening our home/church to them, then the moko kauae commenced.
From the very beginning, we prayed that God’s will would be done and that every person entering the building would experience His love and presence. That day, my whānau truly encountered God. They felt His holiness—through the prayers, the worship and the undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit. They experienced His aroha (love) through the warmth and care of The Salvation Army members, who welcomed everyone with love and peace, and shared a beautiful hākari (feast) prepared by them with heart in our kitchen.
Most profoundly, they experienced His will for us as Māori; witnessing a space where two worlds came together in unity, respect and harmony. It was a sacred moment of connection, of culture and faith entwined, and a testimony to God’s living work in our lives.
This was not just a personal journey, it was a celebration of faith, whānau and community. It was a milestone in my spiritual and cultural journey. It was a declaration that God weaves identity and calling together with intention. It was a celebration of healing, rebirth and alignment with His will. It is a commitment to continue carrying His presence into the spaces He sends me—into Māori spaces, Christian spaces and the beautiful places where they meet. My moko kauae is not simply a marking on my skin. It is a testimony. It is confirmation. It is covenant. It is my offering of obedience and trust to the One who authored my identity from the beginning.
I thank The Salvation Army for its perseverance in continuing to uphold and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It matters, and it allows God to do His work within our organisation.
This is the journey God has led me on. And with humility, gratitude and deep aroha, I step forward into it. I am reminded that when we follow God’s purpose, miracles happen in the most beautiful and unexpected ways.
