Maori Responses to Christianity

Missionaries Influence Missionaries viewed themselves as a stabalising influence- many whalers had stayed away after the Boyd Incident but now returned. Maori were primarily interested in trade with missionaries, they were practical in their approach. Action was taken if missionaries didn’t ‘deliver’- e.g. Wesleyan’s at Kaeo. Their mission was sacked when it did not flourish.

Importance of Literacy Maori chiefs Waikato and Hongi Hika travel to Cambridge University to work on developing a Maori grammar. This was a standardisation of the language which allowed for the teaching of literacy. Literacy was taught through the medium of the Bible.

What did Maori see in the Bible? The Bible spoke to Maori of: Importance of genealogy- Whakapapa Tradition of prophetic leaders in direct communication with God. Post 1840, they saw oppression which they could relate to. (Pharoah and the Jews) Tribal organisation.

1830s Acculturation In the 1830s, the pace of acculturation began to increase. There was an increasing number of Europeans coming to stay in NZ, numbering around 2000 by 1840. They began to move out of the north and spread around the country. The most intense interactions continued to be in the north, where the numbers of ships visiting increased significantly. Maori began to suffer more from European diseases such as influenza, chickenpox and measles.

Interpretations of Maori Conversion From the 1830s onwards, thousands of Maori accepted Christianity. A variety of factors were involved in the process. Historians have discussed a range of reasons for Maori conversion. It is extremely important to consider Maori reasons for conversion, as these were often central.

Historian’s Interpretations Activity Your groups will receive four cards. Each card will have a brief description of an historian’s view of Maori conversion. Your job is to put your cards in chronological order (when historians wrote their interpretation). Make sure you can explain your reasons for the order you place your cards in.