The blue hair is a conversation starter.

'Even when I walk into shops, people will comment on my hair and we get chatting.

'I tell them I'm the new Anglican priest in town, and they say, ‘are you?'

'All kinds of conversations follow from that opening.'

Holy Trinity's new Priest in Charge is Bronwyn Marchant, who will give her first sermon this Sunday.

The 65-year-old jokes it is not the typical blue rinse for someone of retirement age.

But far from retiring, Rev Marchant started her new job last week and is looking forward to being drawn into cultural and multicultural relationships in Tairawhiti.

She is open to listening, learning and sharing as she familiarises herself with her new ministry.

Last Sunday, at a special service to welcome her, Rev Marchant was officially licensed for her new role by Bishop Andrew Hedge.

'People have been so welcoming — in the community and the congregation,' she said,

Rev Marchant and her labrador/Great Dane cross Ollie flew from Australia last month and have settled into Tairawhiti.

Before this, Rev Marchant was a rector in Australia, most recently in Kempsey in the Diocese of Grafton, and before that at Wyoming in the Diocese of Newcastle.

She left New Zealand eight years ago after being the vicar of Gate Pa in Tauranga, where she was born.

Rev Marchant has two sons in their early 40s who live in Blenheim.

She started her theological training when she was 36.

Her sons were teenagers at the time, and after four years of training she became an Anglican priest.

She feels strongly about justice and equality, supporting the rights, humanity and dignity of all people whatever their gender, sexual orientation, racial identity or age.

Rev Marchant believes following Christ should be about love, understanding and acceptance.

The services at Holy Trinity are on Sundays at 8am and 10am.

'We welcome everyone,' she said.