Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the evolution of chapels and later churches in Maori communities from the 1830s. Focusing on the Ngati Porou tribal region, this talk will examine the way in which tradition was negotiated by communities in the creation of new architectural structures.

Paper long abstract:

Whilst Christianity was led officially by English missionaries, on the ground it was the Native Teachers, in conjunction with local leaders, who promoted the faith and its reception. In addition, in some areas it was evangelists from the local community were critical in the dissemination of Christianity. The creation of chapels and churches was a visible statement of their power and the ways in which they were able to negotiate between different leaders in the community.

Within Ngati Porou, it was Taumata a Kura and Rukuata who effectively spread the Word along the East Coast, but specifically in the Waiapu region. Between them they encouraged the building and decoration of a chapel in every community, appropriating the chapels they had seen in the Bay of Islands for their own religious and cultural needs.

This paper examines this phenomena, and its legacy, St Marys Church, built in 1926 in Tikitiki.