tūeri attended the first synod of the diocese of waiapu at waerenga-ā-hika on 3 december 1861. he undertook theological study at st. stephen's college in auckland. he was appointed a deacon on 25 september 1864 and appointed as the first minita (minister) at waiapū pariha (parish), which was the third anglican parish established by the ngati porou. hikurangi pariha was established by the chief ropata wahawaha and reverend raniera kawhia in 1860 and tokomaru pariha was established by the chief henare potae and reverend matiaha pahewa in 1863. in 1865 there were fourteen clergymen - six european and eight māori - in the diocese of waiapu. the māori were: at tokomaru, matiaha pahewa; at wairoa, tamihana huata; at turanga, hare tawhaa; at waiapu, rota waitoa, raniera kawhia and mohi turei; at table cape, watene moeka; at maketu, ihaia te ahu.