Story: Cultural go-betweens

Ruatara translates for Samuel Marsden

Ruatara translates for Samuel Marsden

In this imaginative reconstruction, Ruatara stands next to Samuel Marsden and translates his sermon on Christmas Day 1814. Ruatara and his fellow Ngāpuhi chief Korokoro (front, left) are wearing British regimental uniforms given to them by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in New South Wales. The location is Oihi Bay, Rangihoua, in the Bay of Islands, the site of Ruatara's own . The missionary ship Active lies in the bay behind them.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: B-077-002
Lithograph by Jack Morgan

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:

Mark Derby, 'Cultural go-betweens - The first cultural go-betweens', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/26786/ruatara-translates-for-samuel-marsden (accessed 28 March 2024)

Story by Mark Derby, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 22 May 2018