In 1889, Ngāti Rehua converted en masse to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS). This surprising conversion is remarkable for various reasons. Māori across the country had not only converted to Christianity several decades earlier but by the late nineteenth century had already established their own religious denominations that renegotiated Judeao Christian teachings in new ways. The proximity of Aotea to the Bay of Islands and their own converted kin on the mainland made this very late conversion all the more remarkable. This was the first time that any Christian organisation found any meaningful success with native peoples on the island, despite the widespread impact of Anglican, Catholic, Wesleyan, and Presbyterian missionaries throughout the region. With so many converted iwi at their doorstep, and the widespread influence of early missionaries and Māori agents of conversion, why did Ngāti Rehua take so long to convert to Christianity? While other iwi were converting in large numbers to Christianity or renegotiating Christianity on their own terms, Ngāti Rehua remained isolated and aloof for much of the nineteenth century, maintaining traditional beliefs and practices that had disappeared or been significantly modified in other tribal regions. This thesis explores this question in three main chapters. Chapter One explores early Aotea history, beliefs and practices and examines how those on the island remained elusive from the onslaught of missionaries during the formative years of the establishment of Christianity. Chapter Two highlights the many Aotea inter-tribal connections, the ongoing isolated history of Aotea and early missionary influences. Chapter Three turns its attention to the arrival of Mormon missionaries in 1889 and discusses the ‘moments’ of conversion that have been maintained in successive generations

As part of a more extensive work on a forthcoming biography of Henry Williams, this article sheds light on the Nonconformist roots of the Williams family. It offers reflections on their legacies in shaping Christianity, culture, and nation in New Zealand. It argues that Māori language, cultural knowledge, land, and people would not have survived the impacts of colonialism as they have done without the influence of the Williams family, their mission colleagues, and the early Māori church.

An amateur cultural anthropologist's brief introduction the Maori of New Zealand, emphasizing the beauty of their culture and the significance of their history guiding them forward in today's society. Written as second-year undergrad at Colorado Mountain College - Glenwood Springs in March 2016 . (Edits for cultural and historical accuracy welcome)