Like Them That Dream: The Maori and the Old Testament - Softcover

The arrival of European missionaries in New Zealand had an immeasurable impact on Māori society. Like Them That Dream tells the intriguing story of early interaction between Māori and missionary, leading to the many distinctive responses to the arrival of Christianity. The book’s first two parts consider how the Christian word was spread and how Māori responded, explaining the identification they felt with the Israelites of the Old Testament. The third part relates the rise of indigenous religious movements, from the early Papahurihia through Pai Marire, Ringatu and the Parihaka Movement, and the later incarnations of the Arowhenua Movement in the South Island and what remains today’s leading Māori church, Ratana.

Bronwyn Elsmore is a recognised authority on Maori religions and early spiritual interaction with Christianity. Formerly a senior lecturer in religious studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, she is also the author of Mana from Heaven: A Century of Maori Prophets in New Zealand and Te Kohititanga Marama: The Religion of Matenga Tamati. She lives in Auckland.