One of the most controversial missionary go-betweens was Thomas Kendall (right), seen here during a trip to London in 1820 with the Ngāpuhi chiefs Waikato (left) and Hongi Hika. Kendall was one of the first missionaries to become fluent in Māori, and pioneered the written form of the language. However his desire to understand Māori religious and other concepts as fully as possible, and adultery with a young Māori woman, caused him to be dismissed from the mission in 1823.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference:
G-618
Oil painting 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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