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Story: Missions and missionaries

Pai Mārire

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Pai Mārire

Followers of the Pai Mārire religion in Tataroa, Taranaki, hold a ceremony under their sacred niu pole in 1865. Pai Mārire (good and peaceful) developed as a Māori religious response to disputes over land sales. It combined elements of Christian teaching with traditional Māori beliefs. The three flags flying from the niu pole played an important part of the ceremony.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: B-139-014

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 – Decline of missionary influence, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/28020/pai-marire (accessed 13 June 2026).

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