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By William Van Zyl

Published in May 2025

A Conversation at a Marae (“ A Māori Meeting House”): Whākarakaraka Marae ( a meeting place)

It is the year 2025.

The wooden floor creaks as Moana and Rangi step into the old wharenui (meeting house). 

A shiver runs through Moana’s spine.

Intricate Māori carvings embrace them with ancestral mana. A combination of carvings, portraits, and artefacts adorn the wall. Their eyes are drawn to something unusual—a wooden cross standing tall among the traditional figures. A Christian karakia is etched on the wall in Māori and English. A woven kete rests on a table beneath it. Three strands of red harakeke pierce through the earthy browns of the flax. They zig-zag beautifully through the entire Māori woven basket. 

The photos of Reverend Kingi (kaumatua) and Pastor Duvall also adorn the walls next to the Māori chiefs of the past. They pose proudly with their tattooed moko, korowai (feathered cloak), and a strong Māori rangatiratanga (leadership). The community’s proud rangatiratanga (leaders). 

IMAGE: Spiritual Leaders working together in unison. A depiction of the contrast. LEFT: Traditional Māori Leader. RIGHT: Contemporary Māori Christian Spiritual Leader (A Priest, a Reverend or a Pastor). It also signifies how Christendom is building on the foundations of Māoridom: Traditional and Contemporary portraits hanging in a fictional marae. See the traditional Māori carving of the picture frame (koro shape, form, and pattern). Typical Māori colours are used in the picture frame: Red, white and black. See the prominent RED connecting the two leaders. The Red colour threads through the very fabric of Māori values and beliefs. AI-generated image. Chatgpt (May 2025).

Moana: Look at the tokotoko (carved walking sticks).

Rangi: “It is called a tokotoko.These sticks are functional and hold significant cultural value. They often feature intricate carvings that tell stories or represent the owner’s ancestry and achievements.

Moana: “It is so beautiful.”

Rangi: “Yes, they are. Look at this tokoko. Jonathan Maniapoto carved the walking stick from the Henare Iwi. This tokotoko is made from New Zealand Swamp Kauri wood and measures 85 cm in length. The carvings on the tokotoko represent the genealogy and history of the owner’s ancestry. The intricate designs often include figures and symbols that tell stories of ancestors, significant events, and tribal legends. For instance, this carving depicts a revered ancestor, symbolising the wisdom and authority passed down through generations.”

Image: Carved Māori walking stick (actual tokotoko) by Jason Holder. For sale ($ 1150.00). Credit: Jason Holder. See the website for details: https://www.silverferngallery.co.nz/products/hand-carved-tokotoko-by-jason-holder

Moana: “That is so cool.”

Moana: “Look at the Christian spiritual leaders next to the community’s Māori leaders. They stand shoulder to shoulder.” 

Rangi: “Yes, you are right, shoulder to shoulder. These Christian spiritual leaders and our Māori leaders are all represented in the marae.” 

Moana: “Look, there are three red strands of flax in the kete!”

Rangi: “How did that get woven into the basket?”

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Their question hangs in the air, inviting the story of two intertwining worlds: ancient Māori whakapapa and newer spiritual journeys. Māoridom and Christianity in unison. 

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Moana: “How did the Cross get into the Marae?” 

Rangi: “ Let me tell you the story. It all began in 1814.

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*DISCLAIMER: Dear reader. The marae is fictional (the introduction). The fictional depiction of the marae in the introduction is based on the many marae I have visited over the years. I have included it to provide a show-not-tell scenario; there is an interesting and rich backdrop to the facts to follow. Please note that the following facts about the spiritual history are accurate and well-researched. Some AI-generated images are included to provide flair and rich illustration to the article. The mana (prestige, authority, control, power, influence, status, spiritual power, charisma) and the rich culture of Māori in New Zealand have been respected as far as possible. In the article, I endeavour to show how traditional Māori beliefs and values, compared to Christendom, are intertwined. The author has honoured and respected the sacred (‘tapu’) Māori culture and beliefs in all areas.

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Rangi continues the story of how the two paradigms became intertwined and interconnected.

The facts—Before the Arrival—Māori Spirituality and Worldview

Before Christianity arrived, Māori spirituality was deeply rooted in whakapapa (genealogy), atua (gods), and the sacred rhythms of nature. Every river, tree, and mountain was imbued with mauri (life force). Tohunga (spiritual experts) guided communities in rituals that upheld tapu (sacredness) and restored balance through noa (commonness). Their world was oral, poetic, and spiritual.

First Encounters—Missionaries, Sailors, and the Word of God

In 1814, Reverend Samuel Marsden preached the first Christian sermon in New Zealand. European missionaries arrived with the Bible and a belief in their God, but literacy fascinated many Māori. The power to write and read their language opened new pathways. The Bible was translated into te reo Māori. Some were intrigued. Others were very cautious.

IMAGE: Depiction of the sermon by Samuel Marsden, 1814. Russell Clark’s reconstruction of Samuel Marsden’s Christmas Day service at Oihi Bay in the Bay of Islands in 1814 shows how many New Zealanders visualised this country’s first Christmas service. Clark’s work commemorated the 150th anniversary of the event and shows Marsden at a makeshift pulpit preaching to a large group of Māori and Europeans. Ruatara, the Ngāpuhi leader, Marsden had met in Port Jackson (Sydney), translated the service and can be seen to Marsden’s right. At Hohi (Oihi) Beach in the Bay of Islands, Samuel Marsden preached in English to a largely Māori gathering, launching New Zealand’s first Christian mission. The Ngāpuhi leader Ruatara translated Marsden’s sermon. The two men had first met in Port Jackson (Sydney) in 1809. In 1814, Marsden sent Thomas Kendall to consult Ruatara about establishing a Church Missionary Society (CMS) mission at his kāinga (village), Rangihoua. Material from Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o Te Kāwanatanga Credit: Flickr (Archives New Zealand): https://www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/ Permission to use: Creative Commons Licence 2.0 (Flickr)

The Three Red Coloured Flax Strands—A Symbol of Kingdom Weaving

The 3 red harakeke threads in the kete can be seen as a symbol of the new faith woven into an ancient Māori culture. Red, a tapu colour, represents both blood and sacred connection. The kete, a traditional basket of knowledge, now carries spiritual insights from two worlds. Christianity did not erase Māori identity—many adapted it, reinterpreting Jesus as a tohunga, the Bible as whakapapa.

Māori Leaders and the Spread of the Gospel

Some Māori rangatira (chiefs) embraced Christianity and became powerful advocates. Wiremu Tamihana used scripture to seek peace. Piripi Taumata-a-Kura preached the Gospel as a Māori missionary. Conversion often came not through compulsion but through indigenous leadership and agency. Māori voices carried the Gospel across iwi boundaries.

The Cross and the Carving—Coexistence and Conflict

Carvings of the cross now appear in some wharenui, alongside traditional tukutuku patterns. Christian karakia uses the cadence of Māori oratory. But the journey was not without conflict. Some missionaries condemned ancestral beliefs, and Christianity was entangled in colonial expansion and land loss. Tensions remain, but so do signs of creative coexistence.

Christianity Today in Māori Culture

Today, many Māori continue to walk both paths. The Ringatū and Rātana churches represent uniquely Māori expressions of Christianity. Christian faith is woven into tangihanga (funerals), hymns in te reo, and marae-based worship. The kete still opens—new strands added with care, holding old and new sacred stories.

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Returning to the Marae

Moana gently picks up the kete.

Moana: “What a cool summary. The two have merged indeed. Thanks for sharing, Rangi.”

Rangi: “You are welcome. So, what do you think, Moana?” 

Moana: “Maybe that red flax belongs here in the fibre of the kete. Maybe it tells a story of our past, woven into the present. Ancient paths collide and flow in unison. Today, these two paths are very influential for Māori.”

Rangi: “And maybe it’s still being woven. Maybe a deeper and more connected future will be forged.”

They move around in the Marae in silence, and they entertain many thoughts about Māori and Christianity. However, they have more than just questions—they are exploring this living spiritual legacy that is still unfolding.

IMAGE: Anglican Māori church at Waitetoko Marae near Tūrangi, New Zealand. See the small cross in the middle of the image. See the tukutuku panels against the walls. Credit: https://blog.polynesianpride.co/maori-peoples-beliefs/

After 20 minutes, they meet at the front of the marae.

Moana: “What is the meaning of these tukutuku panels?”

Rangi: “It is pretty intricate and vibrant. In the Anglican Māori church at Waitetoko Marae, the tukutuku panels blend traditional Māori artistry with Christian symbolism, creating a unique and meaningful representation of faith and culture. Moana, I will explain the Christian symbols and their meanings in some tukutuku panels.

• Poutama (Stairway to Heaven): This pattern symbolises the spiritual journey towards enlightenment and heaven, reflecting the Christian belief in ascending to a higher spiritual state.
• Roimata Toroa (Albatross Tears): Often used to represent sorrow and remembrance, this pattern can symbolise the tears shed by Christ and his followers and the redemption and hope found in Christianity.
• Cross Patterns: These patterns directly represent the Christian cross, symbolising Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
• Fish Patterns: The fish is an early Christian symbol representing Jesus and his followers, often used to signify faith and abundance.

IMAGE: Roimata-Toroa. Albatross’ tears (it had some premonition that it was being sacrificed). Black lines represent tears of sorrow, Gold lines represent tears of reward, and White lines represent tears of joy. Tokotoru represents a message, the great message of Christ’s crucifixion. Location of the church and this Roimata tukutuku panel (‘Albatross’ tears’): CHURCH OF HIONA ST STEPHENS IN THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF WAIAPU, ŌPŌTIKI, AOTEAROA, NEW ZEALAND. CREDIT: https://www.hiona.org.nz/tukutuku-panels/

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Rangi: “You should visit the CHURCH OF HIONA ST STEPHENS IN THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF WAIAPU, in ŌPŌTIKI. The panels serve as a visual narrative, intertwining Māori cultural heritage with Christian teachings. They are crafted using traditional materials like kākaho (toetoe stalks) and pīngao (golden sand sedge).”

Moana: “What is the symbolism of the colour red in a Maori context? “

Rangi: “Moana, here is an in-depth answer.”

The Symbolism of Red in Māori Culture

1. Sacredness (Tapu)
   • Red is associated with tapu, meaning sacred or restricted. It marks crucial people, objects, and spaces as spiritually significant.
   • It is often used in rituals, ceremonies, and carvings to denote mana (prestige, authority) and spiritual protection.
2. Life Force and Vitality
   • Red symbolises life and blood, particularly the life force (mauri) that flows through people and nature.
   • It is a reminder of Papatuānuku (Earth Mother) and Hineahuone, the first woman created from red clay.
3. Genealogy and Creation
   • In Māori creation stories, the red clay from Kurawaka (a part of Papatuānuku) was used by Tāne to form Hineahuone.
   • Thus, red connects Māori people to their whakapapa (genealogy) and the land.
4. Status and Leadership
   • Whero is often worn or displayed by chiefs and leaders to indicate mana (authority, prestige).
   • It appears in cloaks, carvings, and tukutuku patterns within wharenui (meeting houses).
5. War and Courage
   • Red also represents courage and warrior strength, symbolising the warriors’ blood shed in battle and their bravery.
   • It’s a prominent colour in traditional weaponry and face paint used for war dances (haka).

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Moana: “What is the symbolism of red in a Christian context?”

Rangi: “Sure, here is the answer. See, it is right here in my notebook.”

Symbolism of Red for Māori Christians

1. The Blood of Christ (Te Toto o te Karaiti)

• Red symbolises the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, shed for the redemption of humanity.
• In many Māori Christian hymns and prayers, the cleansing power of Christ’s blood is expressed with reverence and deep emotional meaning.
• It represents atonement, forgiveness, and new life, paralleling Māori’s view of red as a life force.

2. Covenant and Tapu

• The new covenant in Christ’s blood aligns with the Māori concept of tapu (sacredness).
• Just as red in traditional Māori belief marks something sacred or set apart, red in Christianity marks the sacred sacrifice of Christ and the holy commitment between God and believers.

3. Unity of Sacred Traditions

• Red, as a symbol of Papatuānuku’s red clay—from which the first woman was formed—connects with the biblical creation of humanity from the dust of the earth, the creation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:7).
• This parallel supports a bicultural theological understanding that honours both te ao Māori (the Māori world) and Christian spirituality.

4. Mana and the Power of the Holy Spirit

• Red is often associated with mana (divine authority or power), which Māori Christians may interpret through the lens of the Holy Spirit’s power, especially symbolised by fire in Acts 2 (Pentecost).
• It represents the presence, empowerment, and guidance of God in the lives of believers.

5. Red as a Symbol of Love (Aroha)

• Christ’s sacrificial love (‘aroha’) is reflected in the colour red—it is unconditional, powerful, and life-giving.
• This is in accordance with the Māori value of aroha, a central principle in both traditional Māori and Christian teachings.

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Moana: “Can you compare and contrast the two paradigms?”

Rangi: “Hey, I have a table in the back of my notebook. Let me show it to you. It compares and contrasts Maori and Christian values on the colour Red.

“Symbolism of Red: Christian vs Māori Worldview“

Key Similarities

• Red as sacred: Both worldviews hold red as a sacred and protective colour.
• Blood symbolism: In both, red is linked to blood—as life-giving, protective, and spiritually significant.
• Ancestral connection: Christian red refers to spiritual lineage through Christ; Māori red to whakapapa and ancestral mana.
• Spiritual function: Both worldviews use red to symbolise power beyond the physical—divine love or ancestral presence.

Key Differences

• Source of power: In Christianity, the power of red comes from Jesus’s divine sacrifice; in Māori tradition, red draws from the earth, atua (gods), and ancestors.
• Context of use: Christian red often appears in religious rituals, sacraments, and symbolic acts of worship; Māori red is embedded in daily cultural artefacts, rituals, and visual storytelling (e.g., tukutuku, kowhaiwhai).
• Cosmology: Christian interpretation is theologically based on salvation history (Creation, Fall, Redemption); Māori interpretation is whakapapa-based, grounded in the natural world, ancestral connections, and the interconnectedness of all living things.

I have used AI (Chatgpt) to contrast Traditional Māori korowai with a Christian-themed korowai. These images provide a rich backdrop to the article.

IMAGE: Traditional Māori korowai. AI-generated image. Credit: Chatgpt created in May 2025.

IMAGE: Christian-themed korowai. AI-generated image. Credit: Chatgpt, Created in May 2025.

Metaphorical Kete (Container of Knowledge)

In both traditions, a kete—whether metaphorical (Christian) or literal/symbolic (Māori)—holds sacred knowledge. The presence of red threads or symbols in each represents deep spiritual truths:

*Table created in May 2025 (Credit: The Author).

IMAGE: Traditional dress is compared and contrasted with a more modern take on dressing for the Māori meeting place. A traditional kaumatua (left) is next to a modern-day pastor or reverend (right). AI-generated image 2025. Credit Copilot.

Dear reader, just for fun, I have asked AI to create a kete (basket) with red coloured flax woven into the container.

IMAGE: PROMPT – A Māori flax woven basket with several red-coloured threads. The basket is woven from Harakeke, and the patterns are traditional Māori (New Zealand Context)—organic flax with traditional Māori patterns. Include a couple of red coloured threads in the basket.

AI-generated image. Credit: Copilot (created in May 2025).

AI-generated image. Credit: Gemini – Google (created in May 2025).

AI-generated image. Credit: Chatgpt (created in May 2025).

How did the Māori produce the red dye to colour the flax?

Māori traditionally dyed flax red-brown using the bark of the tanekaha tree (Phyllocladus trichomanoides). The bark was boiled in water to create a dye, and the flax fibres were soaked in this solution. Then, the fibres were rubbed with hot wood ash to fix the dye and enhance the colour, resulting in a red-brown hue. 

When the bark of the Tānekaha tree is stripped, it can be used to create a pink-red dye. Māori used this dye to dye many textiles, other materials, and soldiers’ uniforms in Europe during WWI. Artists and others still use it to dye fabrics.

I found this stunning blog post showing how the harakeke is dyed red using the Tānekaha tree. I am sharing it.

IMAGE: Aunty Tina demonstrates the placing of the “Tanekaha Bark” harvested/stripped from the tree in November 2013. The bark has been soaked in water over time and is placed in a waka/canoe-shaped Totara log or “Kumete”. The Kumete is placed over two blocks of wood, raised from the ground. Red is the colour formed from the “Tanekaha”. Credit: Age Stewart (blog post). Full blog post here: https://agestewart.wordpress.com/tag/traditional-dyeing-process/

I also include images from Bronwynn Billens’ Facebook page.

IMAGES: Dye made from the bark of the tānekaha tree. Credit Bronwynn Billens. Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/BronwynnBillensHarakekeWeaving

I include a scripture that shows how the “red” flax zigzags and threads through the organic kete. It touches and transforms people and communities. The two paradigms are intertwined.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

Copyright © 2025 by William Van Zyl

Why Red Flax Through The Māori Kete?

All rights reserved. This eBook/article or any portion

thereof may not be reproduced or used 

without the publisher’s permission, except for using brief quotations in a book review.

Published by Five House Publishing (New Zealand)

First Publishing, May 2025

More eBooks and articles are available at https://fivehousepublishing.com/

More about the author at http://williamvanzyl.com/

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