He Puna Iti i te Ao Marama: A Little Spring in the World of Light | Pa Henare Tate (Ngati Manawa, Te Rarawa)

How to reconcile the deeply held Christian beliefs of Maori with the indigenous world view that they have inherited and are in many cases rediscovering? In Pa Henare's view, the traditional Christian message has fallen short of speaking intimately and powerfully to the Maori experience. Maori are crying out for a form of Christianity that is 'theirs'. He Puna Iti i te Ao Marama offers one response and contribution to this call by attempting to develop the foundations of an indigenous Maori theology. Pa Henare addresses both the kaupapa (principles) and the tikanga (process or method) whereby such a theology can develop, and then sets out some foundations for it through concepts rooted in Maori culture and history.

'Important not only for Christians, but also for understanding the religious and cultural bases of New Zealand in the 21st century.' NZ Catholic; 'It is a valuable tool for learning and study.' Pa Gerard Burns, Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington.

Pa Henare Tate (Ngati Manawa, Te Rarawa) was formerly a lecturer at the Auckland Catholic Institute of Theology, and the University of Auckland School of Theology. He obtained a doctorate from The Melbourne College of Divinity, and was a specialist in Maori spirituality. Pa passed away on his turangawaewae in the Hokianga in 2017.