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.