From AnglicanTaonga.org.nz

Bishop David Rice’s departure from Waiapu this week was likened to a family breakup.

He has been appointed Provisional Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, in eastern California, from the end of this month.

At a farewell in Waiapu Cathedral on Wednesday, Archbishop Philip Richardson said Bishop David and his wife Tracy were leaving one family they loved to be with their own family in the United States. 

He gave special thanks for Bishop David’s work in youth ministry and ecumenism through the Anglican-Methodist dialogue.

Archbishop Philip added that the role of a bishop included knowing one’s own fragility and vulnerability plus a willingness to journey with others in minding the frontiers of the spirit.

Bishop David returned symbols of such journeys to the altar, including his crozier.

Archbishop Brown Turei said he was sad to see the Rice whanau leaving Waiapu but he was glad that Bishop David’s episcopal ministry would continue in another sphere.

The Diocesan Chancellor, Evan Turbott, described Bishop David as bringing light and strength through his godly leadership, which included revitalising social services in the diocese.  

Tributes were also paid to Tracy for her work in the diocese.

In response, Bishop David said the islands of New Zealand had shaped and defined his family, and that even though their leaving would be hard they needed to be closer to their own family. 

He urged the diocese to keep reaching out to young people, to continue working within the tikanga structure, and to keep up the mission of Anglican Care in Waiapu. 

Bishop David has been Bishop of Waiapu for the past five and a half years and has lived in New Zealand with his family for 18 years.

Before becoming bishop he was Dean of Dunedin and vicar of Mt Herbert Parish in Christchurch.