Charlotte Badger, flourished 1806–1808
Charlotte Badger, a convict, was one of the first European women to live in New Zealand. Allegedly dressed as a man, she assisted in the mutiny of a ship’s crew and landed at the Bay of Islands with her daughter in 1806. Her final fate remains a matter of conjecture.
Learn more at the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
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James Caddell, flourished 1810–1826
James Caddell was captured by Māori on Stewart Island in 1810, at the age of 16. He was tattooed, became a chief, and for a time acted as a Pākehā–Māori, explaining Māori tradition to visiting traders.
Learn more at the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
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Thomas Kendall, 1778?–1832
An Englishman by birth, Thomas Kendall arrived in the Bay of Islands in 1814 as the schoolmaster to the first Church Missionary Society mission. There he prepared the first Māori-language grammar, studied Māori mythology and carving, and ran foul of other European settlers through his involvement with Māori people and concepts.
Learn more at the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
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Samuel Marsden, 1765–1838
A Yorkshireman by background, Samuel Marsden came to Port Jackson (Sydney) in 1794 as a chaplain to the colony. Meeting visiting Māori, he determined to extend the Anglican Church to New Zealand, and in 1814 finally visited the Bay of Islands to help establish a mission. For almost a decade the missions were not very successful, despite Marsden’s regular visits and continued involvement. However, his last visit in 1837 took the form of a triumphal procession.
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Henry Williams, 1792–1867
Originally from Hampshire, Henry Williams came out to the Bay of Islands in 1823 to serve the Church Missionary Society. Working with his wife Marianne and his brother William, he was successful in attracting Māori converts. He was also responsible for translating the Treaty of Waitangi into Māori, and played a leading role in persuading Māori to sign it.
Learn more at the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
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Marianne Williams, 1793–1879
From a Yorkshire family, Marianne Williams came to the Bay of Islands with her husband, Henry, a missionary. She became a central figure in the mission and was particularly important in establishing schools for Māori. She was also a fine writer, producing a journal and numerous letters.
Learn more at the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
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