Story: Northland places

The Marsden memorial

A Celtic cross at Rangihoua Bay commemorates the arrival of missionary Samuel Marsden and his Christian message in 1814.

Using this item

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Jock Phillips

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How to cite this page

Claudia Orange, Northland places – Bay of Islands, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7721/the-marsden-memorial (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Claudia Orange, published 2 March 2009, updated 1 May 2015.

Comments

James Wakefield
08 August 2024

May I ask who designed the cross memorial. Who designed the Marsden Cross and did Samuel Carry a Celtic cross. I am asking as I found a carving of a Celtic Cross near Taupo last January in the Kaimanawa on a rock. I believe Samuel Marsde explored as far as Taupo. Am in a history club here in Brisbane. Kind Regards Hope someone may be interested. Jim Wakefield Brisbane