Story: History
The first Christian mission in New Zealand was founded in 1814 by a Sydney chaplain, Samuel Marsden. Though they had little success initially in converting Māori, the missionaries also wrote down the Māori language and started printing books in Māori. One of the leading missionary organisations was the Church Missionary Society. In a tract published in England after 1849 by the society to muster support, there were images of Māori and Māori life. On the page pictured here are verses of the society’s 50th jubilee hymn.
About this item
Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: A-015-009
Hand-coloured lithograph by Church Missionary Society
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
