Rawiri Taiwhanga (fl. 1818–1874) was a notable New Zealand Māori tribal leader, farmer, Anglican missionary and teacher. He was of Ngāti Tautahi, a subtribe (hapū) of Ngāpuhi. He was the father of Sydney Taiwhanga, a 19th-century Māori member of the House of Representatives.
Before his baptism, he was known as Karaitiana Taiwhanga. On 7 February 1830 he was baptised, and took the name Rawiri Taiwhanga. He was the first high-ranking Māori to be converted to Christianity. This gave the missionary work of the Church Missionary Society led by the Rev. Henry Williams a great impetus, as it influenced many others to do the same.
References
- ^ Orange, Claudia; Wilson, Ormond. "Rawiri Taiwhanga". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Missionary Impact > 'A high profile conversion' by Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
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