Dr Steve Elers

Associate Professor of Communication, LeTourneau University
Māori Anglican priest and researcher of the hymn Whakaaria Mai.

Photograph: Dr Steve Elers sitting on a carved Māori chair owned by his father-in-law, renowned NZ artist, the late Paul Dibble (1943-2023).

I'm a New Zealand communication professor and Anglican priest based in Texas, USA, passionate about connecting faith, culture, and communication. 

My current roles are:

• Associate Professor of Communication (LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas)
• Anglican Priest servicing four churches across East Texas

My academic qualifications include: 

• Doctorate (PhD) in Communication 
• Master's in Public Relations 
• Master's in Learning and Development (Education Leadership)

• ​Master's in Chaplaincy ​

My background includes:

• Vicar General of Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Upoko-o-te-Ika (the Māori Anglican Diocese from Wellington to Taranaki)
• Priest-in-Charge of St Michael's Māori Anglican Church, Highbury, Palmerston North
• Researcher/academic
• Consultant (iwi, government, NGOs - see the videos below for some of my appointments)
• Former elected member of the New Zealand Māori Council (Te Kaunihera Māori)
• Former police officer (Australia)
• Former Senior Māori Research Insights Advisor at the Evidence Based Policing Centre, NZ Police National Headquarters. Research example: https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/custody-messaging-evaluation.pdf