Story: Te reo Māori – the Māori language

Ropitini Kuruho

Ropitini Kuruho

Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe is claimed by some to be the first English-language novel. It was also the first novel translated into Māori, as Ropitini Kuruho. In the 19th century, English literature was translated into Māori to be read by Māori, while Māori literature was translated into English for English speakers.

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Hocken Library, University of Otago
Reference: S13-571

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How to cite this page:

Rawinia Higgins and Basil Keane, 'Te reo Māori – the Māori language - The spread of English, 1840s to 1900', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/object/41076/ropitini-kuruho (accessed 27 April 2024)

Story by Rawinia Higgins and Basil Keane, published 5 Sep 2013, updated 1 Sep 2015