New Zealand colonial history has no meaning without the missionary perspective, and when that perspective is brought out in its own writing and through objective study of their place in our history, it is illuminating, to say the least.

Keith Newman revisits the missionary story and its place in shaping the roots of our modern nation with fresh eyes, and a journalistic style carrying an easy narrative approach makes this book readable and credible.

The missionary con-tribution to literacy alone is almost immeasurable, and it is historians such as Newman who, by specialising their research, are able to best show this. And missionary respect for Maori remains an essential ingredient in our modern perception.

Newman shows that the missionaries encountered an intelligent, fierce and cynical people.

It was quickly evident to them that a heart won in these people was a heart that remained true — despite the worst excesses of the colonial system that followed. Maori converts received and believed in ‘love thy neighbour’.

The popular idea of trading baubles for land, protection or favour va- nishes very quickly in this pragmatic account. Maori retained their innate sense of value — it was quickly obvious to the leaders among them that muskets and firepower were the preferred exchange. They soon knew what was happening to the aborigine across the Tasman, and had no intention of being shoved down that path.

Likewise, the transfor-mation among those Maori who chose to receive the Gospel message was pragmatic and long lasting.

They, in turn, had an impact on the missionaries among them.

“If they were to have any constructive and lasting impact among the ‘heathen’ at the edge of the world, romantic storybook notions of easy Christian conversion had to be stripped away, and their own world-view and ability to survive in this rugged, untamed land had to be severely tested”. Newman reveals the distaste many of the churchmen and their families had for the political deceptions unfol-ding against the Treaty backdrop. They lived with these lies, and struggled to reconcile them or accept the obfuscated use made of the Bible to advance political expedience and greed.

It is pleasing to see Newman gradually  underline a key aspect of the Gospel impact on New Zealand — Maori evangelising Maori.

By 1836 it was evident this would be the “catalyst for powerful moral and social change”.

The Gospel message challenged almost all ancient traditions, and a new turangawaewae (foundation) was established for the Maori faithful. The new heart of a new nation was truly emerging, its foundation placed on a Gospel concept which resonated in Maori hearts with a depiction outlined in an essentially Maori, and truly scriptural, concept — aroha.