John King and Hugh Rihari - Descendants from Hohi

In December 1814, the schooner 'Active' put down its anchor in Hohi Bay in Northland, having travelled across the Tasman from New South Wales. Included in the people on board were the Reverend Samuel Marsden, a member of the Church Missionary Society, and three missionary artisans and their families, who'd been invited there by local Chief Ruatara, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, their skills and establish the first European Christian settlement at Hohi, near Rangihoua Pā. John King was the head of one of those pioneering families and his great, great grandson joined Mānia Clarke in the studio, to share his knowledge of that historic event. On Christmas Day this year we'll be celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of the first gospel message being preached by Reverend Samuel Marsden at Hohi Bay. Mānia Clarke was at Hohi earlier this year, and spoke to kaumatua (elder) Hugh Rihari, one of the descendants of Rangihoua Pā, which hosted those first missionary families. He shared about what life was like for his tupuna, Ruatara, his ancestor - and the special relationship between Ruatara and Samuel Marsden. Mānia Clarke dressed by Hardout Kiwi.