Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
Ruka 6:27 Na ko taku kupu tenei ki a koutou e whakarongo mai nei, Arohaina o koutou hoa whawhai; kia pai te mahi ki te hunga e kino ana ki a koutou.
A group of people from Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton and Rotorua recently met at the Waharoa graveside of Tārore (Ngāti Hauā) to commemorate her death 190 years ago.
Tārore was only twelve years old, and was the daughter of the warrior chief, Ngākuku, but she became an instrument of the Lord to change lives and bring peace between warring tribes.
Tārore learned to read at the mission school established by missionaries Rev and Mrs Brown at Waharoa. Because she was such an able student she was given a copy of the gospel of Luke, one of the first to be printed in the Māori language. She became a believer and would carry this taonga in a little kete which she hung around her neck. At night she would read from it to her whānau, and the truth of the gospel started to touch their hearts, including that of her father.
However, the hapū learned of enemies coming to attack them so they sent Rev and Mrs Brown and the children off to safety over the Kaimai ranges and to the mission station in Tauranga. They camped at Wairere Falls for the night, but while they were sleeping, the war party found them and, while the others escaped, Tārore was killed and her Te Rongopai a Ruka (Gospel of Luke) was stolen.
Over the years the gospel contained in that little book was shared by those who could read, and lives were transformed. As it was carried further down to Ōtaki and eventually to the South Island, people believed and their hearts were changed from desire for utu (vengeance) to the desire for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
The chair of the Māori Postal Aotearoa Board, Russell Hohneck, was among the group of people from different denominations that gathered at the graveside on 19 October. James Muir of Te Kohinga Reconciliation Network, Tauranga extended the invitation to attend to different leaders.
Russell was joined by fellow board members Mokoro Gillett and Liz Silcock. Mokoro, who is from Waharoa, welcomed everyone and gave the background to and the significance of Tārore’s life and death in the spread of the gospel in Aotearoa.
Afternoon tea was shared at Pitt St Gospel Chapel at Waharoa, where there was opportunity for further discussion and to take the Māori Postal Aotearoa materials.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Māori Postal Aotearoa check out: www.maoripostal.co.nz
