Maori and Pakeha Anglicans from Taranaki gathered at St Peter's Purangi in Pukemahoe this week to remember Te Manihera and Kereopa, whose sacrifice at Tokaanu made them two of Aotearoa's earliest Christian martyrs.

This year, descendants of both Te Manihera and Kereopa joined Taranaki Anglicans, who for twenty years have held an annual commemoration of the two men's sacrifice and gospel witness. 

Archbishop Philip Richardson opened the liturgy of remembrance, speaking of the two martyrs' witness to the gospel’s love and transforming power.

Rev Canon Robert Kereopa preached and presided at the Eucharist and worshippers listened as the inspiring story of the two men's final journey was retold.

With his heart on the gospel of forgiveness, Te Manihera determined to take a mission of peace from Taranaki's Ngati Ruanui people to their traditional enemies, Ngati Tuwharetoa, on the shores of Lake Taupo.

At a hui on Christmas Eve 1846, before some 2000 members of Ngati Ruanui, Te Manihera vowed to proclaim the gospel of reconciliation and peace at Taupo, and Kereopa offered to accompany him. 

While the two evangelists’ journey would cost them their lives, it would ultimately succeed in bringing peace. The two warring groups were eventually reconciled, and after the evangelists' deaths, they were buried with great solemnity and honour by Ngati Tuwharetoa. They now now lie in the church yard close to St Paul's Church Tokaanu.

Taranaki Anglicans hope to travel on pilgrimage to the site of Te Manihera and Kereopa's martyrdom in March 2017, to mark the 170th anniversary of these early Christian martyrs of Aotearoa.