"E kore au e ngaro he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea,
We shall never be lost, the seed sown from Rangiātea."

The construction of the Rangiātea web site was inspired by Rangiātea: Ko ahau te huarahi te pono me te ora, an exhibition held at the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa in Wellington, New Zealand in 1997.

This exhibition introduced the public of Aotearoa New Zealand to the unique history of Rangiātea, the oldest surviving Anglican Māori Church in Ōtaki, New Zealand. Sadly, Rangiātea was tragically destroyed by fire in 1995. But through the success of the Rangiātea exhibition, the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, in partnership with Te Rōpū Whakahaere o Rangiātea (Vestry Committee) commissioned a publication in celebration of this wonderful achievement and to capture some of the history of Rangiātea Church.

The legacy of 150 years of Christianity and the institution of Rangiātea remains a significant revelation for the people who descend from the confederation of iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes) of Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Te Āti Awa. The momentous decision to reinstate Rangiātea Church will provide the descendants of those ancestors who erected the original church with an exciting and rewarding challenge. To replicate Rangiātea Church the Abode of the Absolute will require great faith, great hope and a commitment for our future generations to follow.

Many have already answered the call likened to that of Te Rauparaha who continues to inspire us from beyond with his famous statement to Te Pohotīraha:

Haere mai, tangohia ake te taonga nei!
Kua mutu taku rūri i te whenua,
Ka rūri ahau i te rangi.
Hangā he whare karakia mō tātou.

Come, take up this weapon!
I no longer seek honour on earth,
But seek honour in heaven.
Build us a church.

Te Rōpū Whakahere o Rangiātea (Vestry Committee) dedicates this web site to the descendants of Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Te Āti Awa. May they be blessed and inspired to continue the dreams of their ancestors. May they also continue to grow and develop through the kinship and love for each other as we celebrate the power and the glory of Gods creation.

Finally, we acknowledge the dedication and commitment from the team of staff and consultants from the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa who have supported Te Rōpū Whakahaere o Rangiātea (Vestry Committee) with this project from its inception through to the final production. Without their dedication and understanding this undertaking could not have been achieved.

Nā reira, kia tau ki a koutou te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.

Andre Baker
Chairman
Te Rōpū Whakahaere o Rangiātea (Vestry Committee)

PO Box 111
Ōtaki
New Zealand