The crozier was gifted to Bishop Averill (Bishop of Waiapu, 1910-1914; translated to be the Bishop of Auckland 1914-1940; Archbishop of New Zealand, 1925-1940) by Tai Tokerau on 25 December 1914 at Oihi.

It was a gift to commemorate the centenary of the first Christian sermon in Aotearoa, designed by Archdeacon Walsh and carved by Hone Edwards of Ngati Whatua ki Orakei.

Rawiri Te Ruru, who was a prominent Ngapuhi chief, presented the crozier on behalf of Ngati Whatua, Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri and Ngapuhi to Bishop Averill, and to all future bishops of Auckland as a memorial of the centenary of the arrival of the Rev’d Samuel Marsden.

Rawiri Te Ruru represented Ngati Whatua and Ngapuhi; Te Aira Rewa Te Nana (a granddaughter of Ihaka Hakuene Te Tai through his daughter Kiritapu, who later married Hamiora Maioha in 1915) represented Te Rarawa, and the Rev’d Makaore Taurere represented Te Aupouri.

The gathering was addressed by Hiramai Riripo, Rawiri Te Ruru, Wiremu Ihaia (all of Ngapuhi) and the Rev’d Makaore Taurere (of Te Aupouri).

The crozier is made of maire, puriri, kauri and kahikatea.

On the brass plate is inscribed the words, “Presented by the Maoris (sic) of the Diocese of the Bishop of Auckland, Marsden Centenary, Christmas Day 1914. Hei hepara pai mo te Kahui.”

The Maori present on 25 December 1914 were Rev Hetekia Rika Heke; Rev Keina Poata (Paihia); Rev Hone Karaka (Thames); Rev Hoani Matenga Paerata (Waimate); Rev Pene Topi (Kaikohe); Rev Herewini Nopera Paerata (Te Touwai); Rev Makaore Tepana Taurere (Hokianga); Rev Canon Wiremu Keretene (Whangarei); Teri Heihei (Mangonui); H.T. Popata; Hare Mete (Wikitoria); Hepi Pawhau (Mangonui); Tira Hori (Matauri Bay) and Te Waaka Hona (Wainui).