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[email protected] ______________________________________________________________________________ Author: Jonathan H. A. Te Rire Title: The Dissipation of Indigeneity Through Religion Year: 2009 Item: Master of Indigenous Studies Research Report University: University of Otago http://eprintstetumu.otago.ac.nz THE DISSIPATION OF INDIGENEITY THROUGH RELIGION by Jonathan H.A. Te Rire MML MMMgt A research report submitted for the degree of Masters of Indigenous Studies at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Date: February 28, 2009 Abstract This thesis report examines a theory that Christianity has contributed to the dissipation of Māori culture including their form of religiosity. Pākehā missionaries preached the biblical view of one God, eventually erasing and supplanting the many gods concept of Māori spiritual beliefs. The missionaries had initiated and severed the spiritual relationships of Māori with their lands, and contributed to the disintegration of Māori society.1 This research report also studies the role of Māori ministers as leaders of the parish community as well as leadership of whānau, hapū and iwi, and the interaction of taha Māori and religion and the challenges, if any, faced by Māori clergy.