Arrival Of The First Missionaries – March 5, 2025

History of Arrival Of The First Missionaries

Missionaries have existed in this world for decades, and their main task is to spread the message of Christianity in the world. While missionaries do not have the same status today, there was a time when they were amongst the most influential individuals in society. Amongst the first English missionaries was Samuel Marsden, who arrived at the Bay of Islands in 1814. Marsden, however, was not alone. He arrived with a local chief of the region and other missionaries. They included William Hall, John King, Thomas Kendall, and Thomas Hansen.

Upon landing, Marsden started teaching the Māori people of mainland New Zealand skills regarding agriculture. This was his way of encouraging people to convert, and his tactic turned out to be successful. Not only did the people covert, but the agriculture of the land also flourished.

The Māori missionaries then diverted their attention to the Ngāpuhi, who often captured slaves. The Māori missionaries ensured the slaves were freed, thus earning their lives and commitment to Christianity — a religion that had given them their freedom. The slave Piripi Taumata-ā-Kura of Ngāti Porou also became a missionary who traveled to the East Coast to preach Christianity. He taught the people of Te Āti Awa to read and write and built the first Christian church in the town. Though most of the New Zealand missionaries worked with Māori communities, many of them also traveled to foreign regions to spread their message. Missionaries were even sent to China and South America.