REFLECTIVE INSIGHT #050 - THE MISSIONARY ON THE WALL: THE LEGACY OF KĀRUWHĀ
A Personal Discovery
Kia ora. Even though I was born and raised right here in Taitokerau, I only had my first pōwhiri onto Te Tii Marae last month. It was a huge privilege to finally stand in that space and learn about the history and the conflict surrounding a very specific carving.
When you walk into the wharenui at Te Tii, your eyes are often drawn to the back wall. Sitting in a place of great honour is a carving of a bald Pākehā man with glasses, holding a Bible. For many, this is a point of debate. Why is a European man in a space usually reserved for Māori ancestors?
The Man Known as Kāruwhā
The man in the carving is the Reverend Henry Williams. Our ancestors called him Kāruwhā (Four Eyes) because of his glasses. He wasn’t just a visitor, he lived among Ngāpuhi for over 40 years. He was a translator, a peacemaker, and a man who navigated the difficult waters between the British Crown and the Rangatira of the North.
The History and the Conflict
The reason there is so much talk about this carving is because it represents a complicated time. Some feel that a Pākehā shouldn't hold such a prominent place in a Māori house. However, the history tells a story of incredible integrity. In 1835, Henry Williams bought the land where Te Tii Marae stands today. He didn't do it for profit, he did it to stop land-grabbers from taking it. He then gave the land back to the local hapū, Ngāti Rāhiri and Ngāti Kawa.
The carving was placed there to honour the fact that without his actions, the marae might not have a place to stand today.
The Bible and the Treaty
The Bible in his hand is a symbol of the "Alpha Frequency." The chiefs trusted Williams because they believed he stood under the same Creator they did. They saw the Treaty not as a cold legal contract, but as a sacred covenant, a promise made before God.
This role as a bridge-builder between two peoples is reflected in the words of Ihu:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9, Ethiopian Bible English Version)
Original Source (Ge'ez): ብፁዓን ገበርተ ሰላም፤ እስመ እሙንቱ ውሉደ እግዚአብሔር ይሰመዩ።
Te Reo Māori: Ka kiritauatia te hunga hohou rongo: ka kiia hoki ratou he tamariki na te Atua.
Integrity Above Politics
Williams was often found standing in the middle of battlefields, trying to stop the fighting. He understood that a "good name" and a life of service were worth more than gold or land. He spent his life trying to live out the truth he found in the scriptures, even when it made him unpopular with the colonial government.
A Shared Journey
Standing in Te Tii last month, I realised that Kāruwhā on the wall is a reminder of a partnership that was supposed to be built on truth and mutual respect. While there is conflict around his presence, his legacy reminds us that truth has no colour. When someone acts with real integrity, they become part of the weave of the land.
I believe we can learn a lot from this "Four-Eyed" navigator. By looking at the heart and the actions of those who came before us, we can find the right path to a future of abundance and peace for all of Taitokerau.
