Story: Missions and missionaries

Marsden and Ruatara

Marsden and Ruatara

The Church Missionary Society's Samuel Marsden (centre) had met many Māori in New South Wales before he first visited New Zealand in 1814. This drawing shows him arriving at Rangihoua, Bay of Islands, and meeting the family of the local chief Ruatara. He had first encountered Ruatara five years earlier while travelling by ship from England to Australia.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: PUBL-0191-frontis

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Peter J. Lineham, 'Missions and missionaries - First missionaries', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/27985/marsden-and-ruatara (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Peter J. Lineham, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 8 Aug 2018