Mission stations were only established at the invitation of Maori in 1820s though with little ‘success’. In late 1830s, Maori did more to spread the Gospel than Missionaries with its message of love. Rejection of ‘utu’. Mainly used gospel of Luke. By 1850s more Maori adherents than European. The Mana of the Treaty and the Missionaries was strongly linked – we are one people.
The ‘bad’ behaviour of Europeans especially (non) Sunday observance and the land wars destroyed Maori trust in ‘Missionary Christianity’ and led to the emergence of Maori Christian sects.