Scary and intimidating aren’t normally words you would associate with a newly appointed Archbishop, but Don Tamihere looks ready to take on all manner of evil in this shot taken by Lloyd Ashton Media Officer to the Anglican Church In Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
Archbishop Don Tamihere brandishes his crosier like a taiaha (Maori spear-club) during a haka (martial dance) following his installation ceremony as head of the Maori Anglican Church. A white-cassocked priest crouches on the grass opposite him, presses his fist to the ground and sticks out his tongue.
Held last week at Manutuke Marae (meeting house courtyard) on the outskirts of Gisborne, New Zealand, the man of the cloth was installed as archbishop and primate of the Anglican Church in New Zealand and Polynesia. Archbishop Tamihere now leads the Maori arm of the church.
Dignitaries from the Anglican Church, leaders from the Pacific and Maori sovereign, King Tuheitia, were among the hundreds of people who attended the ceremony. The haka, Ka Panapana, and Ruaumoko, rounded off the event.
Seconds after photographer Lloyd Ashton shot the scene, the ornamental crook fell off the crosier. Archbishop Tamihere laid down the staff, picked up the crook and flourished it as a patu (club-blade) as the haka continued.
This is possibly one of the best Haka’s we’ve seen in a while, but if you think you can do better then get in touch.
