This tall, gaunt man must have been
fascinating yet somewhat daunting to know. Scholar, linguist, adventurer,
educationist and dedicated churchman, his restless energy helped him make a
substantial contribution to the Church during its early years in New Zealand. He
was a pioneer who helped shaped New Zealand in the face of enormous difficulties
which caused great hardship for himself and his family.
Fearsome as a preacher, he had no hesitation in rebuking the congregation for
tardiness, or for lack of generosity in their giving to support the Church. On
one occasion, reported by T.G. Kissling in his book of 1960, he was reputed to
have said from the pulpit "Labrador dogs! Labrador dogs! That's what you
people of St Mary's are! Eat and sleep, sleep and eat, that's what you do on
Sunday; just like dogs, and never a thought of God!"
Born into comfortable circumstances in Dublin on 24th October 1810, he was
educated at Waterford, and Trinity College, Dublin, where in 1833
he graduated B.A. with honours, majoring in classics. He intended to read law,
but heard an address on overseas missionary work, and was accepted into the
Church Missionary Society. He entered the training college at Islington, was
ordained Deacon in 1833 and priest in 1834, leaving immediately with first wife
Susan (died 1851) for New Zealand. They arrived at Paihia from Sydney aboard
Samuel Marsden's ship, the Active, on 26th November 1835.
As a Missionary he travelled extensively, assisting over a wide area of the
Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, studying and mastering the Maori language,
and becoming extensively involved in negotiations with Maori during the land
wars in New Zealand.
In 1836 he opened a mission station near the junction of the Maraetai Stream
and the mouth of the Waikato River approximately where the township of Port
Waikato now exists. The mission consisted of a highly profitable and productive
agricultural farm, timber mill, kiln, bakery, church and day schools, and other
facilities to make it completely self supporting. Seven hundred pupils undertook
examinations there in 1839. No trace of this huge enterprise exists today.
His scholarship extended to translating the Old Testament into Maori.
However, all his work was lost in a fire in 1842, and he began again, completing
the work in 1847. The New Testament had been previously translated by The Revd
William Williams, pioneer missionary, and first Bishop of Waiapu (1859 - 1877).
The Revd Maunsell also assisted in the revision of the Maori Prayer Book in
1844, and in 1850 revised the Maori grammar. His scholarship was recognised in
1849 by Trinity College, which awarded him an LL.D.
As hostilities increased around Maraetai, a new mission was established 16km
(10 miles) further up the Waikato River at Te Kohanga in 1853. Local Maori gave
additional land to the mission to assist the agricultural school. However,
although the industrial side of the mission was a success, poor soil caused the
farm to fail, resulting in serious food shortages for the mission. On the
outbreak of war in the area in 1863 Dr. Maunsell found that he no longer had
influence with the Maori, so sent his family north to Auckland and he became
chaplain to the troops.
After the war he was appointed Archdeacon of Waitemata, but resigned to
become the second Vicar of ("Old") St Mary's, Parnell on 31 May 1865.
During his time at St. Mary's the parish was fraught with financial problems
caused by the economic recession following the withdrawal of British troops
after the land wars. Maunsell made a personal loan to enable the Vicarage to be
expanded to accommodate his family, and frequently made donations to keep the
parish operating throughout his tenure.
In 1870 he became Archdeacon of Auckland, and held both positions until his
retirement in 1882. He lived in St. Georges Bay Rd, Parnell, becoming
increasingly eccentric, until his death on 19th April 1894. His life and work is
commemorated by a plate in the Sanctuary of St Mary's Church. Maunsell Road,
between Parnell Rd and the Museum, is also named for him, and a large number of
descendants live in New Zealand.
~ Pronunciation: "Maunsell" is
pronounced as "Mansell".