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Story: Ngā hāhi – Māori and Christian denominations

Memorial to a missionary

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Memorial to a missionary

In 1869 the Methodist missionary John Whiteley, aged 62, was visiting members of his church at Pukearuhe, north-east of New Plymouth. The military redoubt there had just been attacked by Ngāti Maniapoto fighters. Whiteley ignored warnings to turn back and was killed. This memorial was erected around 1871 to commemorate victims of the attack, including 'Rev John Whiteley, missionary to the Maories, amongst whom he laboured, with untiring activity and zeal for a period of 37 years. A true friend of both races.'

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How to cite this page

Hirini Kaa, Ngā hāhi – Māori and Christian denominations – Methodist Church, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/30639/memorial-to-a-missionary (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Hirini Kaa, published 7 April 2011, updated 1 March 2017.