The Legacy of GuiltThe Legacy of Guilt

The archetypal story of Thomas Kendall, a self-torturing, struggling missionary in nineteenth century New Zealand, is also a remarkable history of cross-cultural experience. Posted to New Zealand in 1814, Kendall was immensely devout but entirely unprepared for dealing with Maori. He nonetheless helped produce the first Maori Grammar, but was hindered by rumours of an affair with a Maori chief's daughter. Dismissed from his duties in 1823, he continued studying Maori culture until his death nearly a decade later. Long out of print, this work by a leading New Zealand historian tells an absorbing story of the difficulties and dangers of the evangelical mission.