Poutama of the Tangahoe an important chief of Ngati Ruanui, from Hawera on the Taranaki coast, was an early Christian. He had been captured twice, 1st in a Waikato raid, taken to Tamaki, and then in a Nga Puhi raid on Tamaki. He ended up on a ship, transporting the Wesleyan missionary, Walter Lawry to Tonga. Lawry brought his freedom and he rescued Lawrys’ young son when he was washed overboard. Poutama was in Tonga for 18 months, then returned to Waokena Pa near Hawera, where he married. At his baptism he chose the name, Te Manihera. He became an Anglican teacher of his tribe for many years.

He was always conspicuous for piety and attention to his duties, and instead of his first love growing cold, his appeared to increase with time; indeed, his love of Christ was written upon his countenance. - Rev Richard Taylor on Te Manihera

His commitment to Christ led Te Manihera to offer to go to Ngati Tuwharetoa his tribal enemies at Taupo to share the gospel. Kereopa of Waokena, offered to go with him. They knew there was an utu between the tribes and it could mean their death. They left Wanganui on 6 February 1847. They travelled via Porou-ta-whao, the residence of Te Rangihaeata, then to the East Coast, and on to Rotorua where they spent several days with Thomas Chapman (CMS missionary). They got 2 warnings against going to Taupo, the 2nd at Motutere. Te Manihera preached an impassioned sermon at Waiariki and in the morning said he felt that his time was at hand, and that before the sun set he should be the inhabitant of another world.

A group of young men from Waiariki went with them. Ngati Tuwharetoa hearing they were coming sent out a small war party. They waited in ambush, and as soon as they came into range Kereopa was shot and fell dead, Te Manihera was attacked with a Maori Tomahawk, blinded he did not die until sunset, praying for his enemies and assuring his companions that all was light within. With permission of his enemies he chanted his waiata poroporoaki, his farewell and dirge. He died, having given his New Testament and his missionary journal to one of the young men who accompanied him.

Their bodies were carried to Waiariki and buried with great solemnity near the pa. Richard Taylor and Wiremu Te Tauri (Saint, 17 May), spoke strongly for the Spirit of Christ to prevail and the utu ended with them. Te Manihera and Kereopa had paid the Utu, the price of Peace. Another young chief from Waokena Pa, Piripi, went with Richard Taylor to Tokaanu as a teacher. When they arrived, a service involving people from Tokaanu was held at Te Manihera’s and Kereopa’s graves at Waiariki. Later their former enemies created a mission base where many became Christians. The blood of the martyrs was the seed of many finding Christ.

BORN: Early 19th Century, South Taranaki, New Zealand.

DIED:1847, near Tokaanu, Lake Taupo, New Zealand.