In 1843 the Wairau massacre (or “incident” as it is now termed) led to the closing of the Cloudy Bay mission. The Maoris had left for Kapiti, and the missionary, Samuel Ironside, went to Wellington, remaining there from 1843 to 1847. His continuing influence over the Maoris on Kapiti was still considerable, and strengthened the still stronger influence of the Anglican Hadfield at Waikanae in restraining the threatened Maori attack on Wellington. The Maori Wars which followed brought a serious reverse to the Wesleyan missions. Only the Northland War of 1845 must be excepted here, for Hone Heke lived in the east of the Auckland Peninsula, whereas the Wesleyan stations were in the west; moreover, the influence of the missionaries was strong. This same influence played a part in saving Auckland from attack via Tangiteroria later on.

The wars fought in Taranaki and in the Waikato were fought in a different spirit; and they caused a serious setback to the mission. The murder of the Rev. John Whiteley in 1869 shocked even the Maoris themselves. Many stations had to close down, Kai Iwi, Mokau, Aotea, Ihumateo, and Pehikura (in the Manukau) among them. The Taranaki mission was a wreck. Not more than five per cent of the people remained faithful to Christianity in the stations listed. The wars also induced alienation, distrust, and bitterness.

It is regrettable that historians have done so little research so far on the influence of the Wesleyan Mission on the Maori, and on its contribution to the early life of the colony. There is an unfortunate gap here. It is clear that further research would strengthen the claim of the mission to have helped to advance the civilisation and education of the Maori people, as well as their moral and social well-being.

Gradually the emphasis had to change from Maori to European, but the Maori work was never abandoned. In the 1961 census, 12,611 Maoris called themselves Methodists, as against 10,488 in the previous census – 7·55 per cent as against 7·65 per cent. There are at present 70 agents of the church at work among them, and £24,000 annually is spent on the mission. There are six hostels for Maori young people. In connection with the Maori work, it should be stressed that the church has never bought any land from the Maoris except that which is used entirely for their benefit.