The Story of Tarore (Tay-ror-ray) and Her Book - Sometimes we can “take for granted” the wonder and mystery of the Gospel of Jesus. Our Creator delights in using what seems small and insignificant to transform nations. May we have “eyes to see” and hearts to understand what He is doing in our day.
“Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children.” Isaiah 66:8 (ESV)
Tarore was a young Maori girl living in what is now called New Zealand in 1835. That year the Bible Society published 100 copies of the Gospel of Luke in the Maori language. In 1836, missionaries gave a copy of this book to Tarore (who was around 12 years old), at a mission school near Matamata. Tarore learned to read using this Gospel of Luke. When she was home, Tarore would read this book to her family and tribe - including her father Ngakuku, the Ngati Haua chief. Tarore treasured the Gospel of Luke and kept it in a fabric purse around her neck.
The Maori are the native people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). They are related to other Polynesian groups – including the Hawaiians. They were fierce warriors – even eating their conquered enemies on occasion. Honor is very important in Maori culture. “Utu” is a key Maori concept having to do with reciprocation or “balance”. To retain ”mana” (honor, prestige), both friendly and unfriendly actions require an appropriate response - hence utu covers both the reciprocation of kind deeds, and the seeking of revenge. So, like many other cultures; warfare and revenge were continual – and there was much grief as a result. Does this sound like the code of gangs in our society today?
Under threat of a nearby warring Rotorua tribe, the mission school was in the process of relocating to Tauranga. On October 19, 1836, at the Wairere Falls, a raiding party killed Tarore and took the treasured book from her. Tarore’s father Ngakuku sadly carried her body back to their settlement for burial. At the funeral, Ngakuku addressed his tribe: “There lies my child, she has been murdered as a payment for this war; but do not rise to seek revenge, leave that with God; let this be the ending of the war with Rotorua, now let peace be made. My heart is not dark for Tarore, but for you; you urged teachers (the missionaries) to come to you - they came and you are driving them away.“ This was astounding! Ngakuku chose not to seek revenge because he believed the Good News of Jesus.
And, there was more. The warrior (a Rotorua chief) who killed Tarore and took her book - eventually found a slave boy (Ripahau) who could “make the book speak”. This chief was converted by hearing the Gospel of Luke – and resolved to go to Tarore’s father to ask for forgiveness. One account says that the chief even offered his life to Ngakuku (in the spirit of “utu”), but Ngakuku had already decided to forgive the murder of his daughter. This inaugurated a new peaceful relationship between the two tribes!
And there was even more: Two young chiefs also heard Ripahau “make the book speak” – and were drawn to this new way of life that Jesus lived and taught. They convinced Ripahau to teach them how to read the book (for about six months). Then chief Tamihana Te Rauparaha (son of the leading chief of the area) and his cousin resolved to travel many miles to a mission station to bring back a teacher for their people.
When Henry Williams brought Octavius Hadfield to Waikanae they were welcomed by 1000 Maori and discovered that among them were Christian groups who worshipped using fragments of the Anglican Prayer Book.
Tamihana Te Rauparaha (the young chief) later became a missionary to his father’s enemies in the South Island and converted many to Christianity.
As for Tarore; her story lives. The book “Tarore and Her Book” is being given to the school children of New Zealand. You can watch this video to learn more: HERE
This is one wonderful story of how the God uses the Good News of Jesus to suddenly transform nations and cultures through both small and great people who open their hearts to Him. There were many other heroes in God's transformation of the Maori culture and other cultures. Someday, we'll learn more - perhaps when we're part of the great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). And may you be encouraged to step into the opportunities that God created for you. (Eph 2:10)
The larger history of the Maori and the British is complex – with a series of wars over land issues following The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. However, the effect of the Gospel of Jesus upon the land and peoples of New Zealand is celebrated to this day.
In awe of the ways of our Savior,
Russ Fochler
“Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children.” Isaiah 66:8 (ESV)
Tarore was a young Maori girl living in what is now called New Zealand in 1835. That year the Bible Society published 100 copies of the Gospel of Luke in the Maori language. In 1836, missionaries gave a copy of this book to Tarore (who was around 12 years old), at a mission school near Matamata. Tarore learned to read using this Gospel of Luke. When she was home, Tarore would read this book to her family and tribe - including her father Ngakuku, the Ngati Haua chief. Tarore treasured the Gospel of Luke and kept it in a fabric purse around her neck.
The Maori are the native people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). They are related to other Polynesian groups – including the Hawaiians. They were fierce warriors – even eating their conquered enemies on occasion. Honor is very important in Maori culture. “Utu” is a key Maori concept having to do with reciprocation or “balance”. To retain ”mana” (honor, prestige), both friendly and unfriendly actions require an appropriate response - hence utu covers both the reciprocation of kind deeds, and the seeking of revenge. So, like many other cultures; warfare and revenge were continual – and there was much grief as a result. Does this sound like the code of gangs in our society today?
Under threat of a nearby warring Rotorua tribe, the mission school was in the process of relocating to Tauranga. On October 19, 1836, at the Wairere Falls, a raiding party killed Tarore and took the treasured book from her. Tarore’s father Ngakuku sadly carried her body back to their settlement for burial. At the funeral, Ngakuku addressed his tribe: “There lies my child, she has been murdered as a payment for this war; but do not rise to seek revenge, leave that with God; let this be the ending of the war with Rotorua, now let peace be made. My heart is not dark for Tarore, but for you; you urged teachers (the missionaries) to come to you - they came and you are driving them away.“ This was astounding! Ngakuku chose not to seek revenge because he believed the Good News of Jesus.
And, there was more. The warrior (a Rotorua chief) who killed Tarore and took her book - eventually found a slave boy (Ripahau) who could “make the book speak”. This chief was converted by hearing the Gospel of Luke – and resolved to go to Tarore’s father to ask for forgiveness. One account says that the chief even offered his life to Ngakuku (in the spirit of “utu”), but Ngakuku had already decided to forgive the murder of his daughter. This inaugurated a new peaceful relationship between the two tribes!
And there was even more: Two young chiefs also heard Ripahau “make the book speak” – and were drawn to this new way of life that Jesus lived and taught. They convinced Ripahau to teach them how to read the book (for about six months). Then chief Tamihana Te Rauparaha (son of the leading chief of the area) and his cousin resolved to travel many miles to a mission station to bring back a teacher for their people.
When Henry Williams brought Octavius Hadfield to Waikanae they were welcomed by 1000 Maori and discovered that among them were Christian groups who worshipped using fragments of the Anglican Prayer Book.
Tamihana Te Rauparaha (the young chief) later became a missionary to his father’s enemies in the South Island and converted many to Christianity.
As for Tarore; her story lives. The book “Tarore and Her Book” is being given to the school children of New Zealand. You can watch this video to learn more: HERE
This is one wonderful story of how the God uses the Good News of Jesus to suddenly transform nations and cultures through both small and great people who open their hearts to Him. There were many other heroes in God's transformation of the Maori culture and other cultures. Someday, we'll learn more - perhaps when we're part of the great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). And may you be encouraged to step into the opportunities that God created for you. (Eph 2:10)
The larger history of the Maori and the British is complex – with a series of wars over land issues following The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. However, the effect of the Gospel of Jesus upon the land and peoples of New Zealand is celebrated to this day.
In awe of the ways of our Savior,
Russ Fochler
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