Elsmore - Like them that dream: the Māori and the Old Testament

Published by Reed Books, a division of Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd, 39 Rawene Rd, Birkenhead, Auckland (www.reed.co.nz). Associated companies, branches and representatives throughout the world.

This book is copyright. Except for the purpose of fair reviewing, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Infringers of copyright render themselves liable to prosecution.

ISBN 0 7900 0741 X

1985, 2000 Bronwyn Elsmore

The author asserts her moral rights in the work.

Designed and typeset by Sharon Whitaker Cover designed by Sunny H. Yang

First published 1985 by Moana Press This edition 2000 by Reed Books

Printed in New Zealand

In memory of my father

Bernard Henry Norris Teague

Who passed away in May 1982 before

this could be written, but without

whose influence over many years it

would probably not have eventuated.

POROPOROAKI

E taku Koro, haere, haere,

Ka karanga a Hine-nui-te-po;

Papatuanuku has bared her breast

reclaimed you as her own.

The hands are washed, the fast broken,

Kawakawa now removed

curling leaves a mute reminder

of transitory life.

Not for you the korowai,

Te iwi whanau your only claim,

But to me, bereft, lamenting,

One ofTanes totara fell.

Map: Location of places mentioned

The Flying Dragon

Te Ua Haumene

Te Kooti

Te Whiti-o-Rongomai

Te Whiti and Tohu Kakahi

King Tawhiao

Te Mahuki Manukura at Te Kumi

Himiona Te Orinui

Rihara Te Reke

The pillars for the Kohiti temple

Rua Kenana

Zion at New Jerusalem

Tahupotiki Wiremu Ratana

AJHR Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives

AML Auckland Institute and Museum Library

APL Auckland Public Library

ATL Alexander Turnbull Library

BOPTBay of Plenty Times

CMS Church Missionary Society

HL Hocken Library

JPS Journal of the Polynesian Society

MS Manuscript

NML Napier Museum Library

NZH New Zealand Herald

NZJH New Zealand Journal of History

NZPD New Zealand Parliamentary Debates

PBH Poverty Bay Herald

SJC St Johns College

TPNZI Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute

TS Typescript

WMS Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

F rom any study of the history or the beliefs and practices of Maori religious movements in New Zealand, it is immediately obvious that great emphasis is placed on the Old Testament scriptures. This was first noted in the journals of missionaries more than a century and a half ago, and has been pointed out by other writers since.

Such references, however, have generally been brief, and usually restricted to consideration of one particular movement or period only. Yet to fully appreciate this aspect of the response in any one movement or time, it is essential that the whole topic be looked at. To view a small part of the picture only is to miss the full context and therefore the pattern evident in the development of the phenomenon.

In writing this book I have tried to keep in mind at all times the general reader in New Zealand or elsewhere in an effort to ensure its readability by those with even little prior knowledge of the topic. At the same time I have been aware of those who will be reading with an academic interest in the subject. To satisfy both groups fully is no doubt an impossible task, and I can only hope that the result will be acceptable to most.

The very scope of the subject has imposed upon me the regrettable necessity of having to view the Maori as an homogenous race, with each tribe and subgroup adhering to unified views, beliefs, traditions and practices. In fact, while overall tendencies were similar, there was variation in many areas of thought and practice. It would, however, be tedious, unwieldy, and probably almost impossible to try to distinguish between the views of different groups, or even between members of one tribe. The alternative to speak generally of trends which recurred or were common to a number of peoples should not, therefore, be taken as a statement that any one motivation or reaction was universal among the Maori. While in each area there were those who rejected the message of the missionaries (and this was sufficiently frequent to allow references to general reactions), there were also members of Maori communities who adopted the beliefs taught by the churches, and not only remained firm believers for the rest of their lives but also at times took the side of the missions against their Maori brethren.

Similarly, some generalisation must occur concerning the missions and the missionaries. There was much variation among different members of the clergy in their attitudes towards the Maori. The missionaries themselves were aware of this, and conscious that they did not present a united front to those they were teaching. Consequently, it was often the clergy who were the strongest critics of the New Zealand missions. But the fact remains that many of the missionaries were tireless workers for the benefit of the Maori, and in return were regarded with great love and affection.

This work is organised into three parts, followed by a brief conclusion. Part One outlines the background to the Christian mission in New Zealand, colonisation, and the effects of these on the Maori. Part Two considers the cultural reasons why the Maori very often chose to identify with the Israelites of ancient times, and therefore based their religious response on the Hebraic scriptures. Part Three examines the religious aspects of a number of the Maori movements, showing how that identification manifested itself within them, according to the context of the time.

Part One is included in order to give those with little previous knowledge of this countrys history a necessary background to the times and conditions of the early European contact period and colonial New Zealand. It is a basic introduction dealing only with the matters which are relevant to this specific topic, and should not be considered to be any more than this. Readers interested in any particular matter mentioned should consult more detailed studies in that field for further knowledge.