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Story: Missions and missionaries

Waikato, Hongi Hika and Thomas Kendall

Waikato, Hongi Hika and Thomas Kendall

Thomas Kendall arrived at Rangihoua in 1814. He and other missionaries and helpers remained there while Samuel Marsden returned to New South Wales. Kendall enthusiastically learned the Māori language and Māori traditions. In 1820 he went to London with his teachers, the Ngāpuhi chiefs Waikato (left) and Hongi Hika.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: G-618

by James Barry

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, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/27992/waikato-hongi-hika-and-thomas-kendall (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Peter J. Lineham, published 23 March 2011.

Comments

Irene Marie Frost
11 February 2024
All fascinating I now want their account of this visit to London : from Waikato, Hongi Hika and Kendall in 1829. Also the first Maori to reach London in 1805. Most of all I seek the earliest writings from the Maori themselves who had gained English literacy. As Richard Shaw writes it was ironic that many ex military Irish gained confiscated land. It is debiliating to think that it was not until 2014 -16 that O’Malley is discussing and being awarded his work and in schools. I grew up in New Zealand gaining much knowledge because I was curious and was exposed to an early teacher who covered such history. These early writings from Maori or others is what I also will located. I have one written in 1850.