Abstract:
The earliest access that Anglican Maori had to a printed Maori language eucharist text was in 1833.' Te Whakawhetai me te Whakamoemiti/Thanksgiving and Praise is one of several modern Maori language Anglican eucharist texts. This text is clearly defined as Maori. for it is written by Maori liturgists in the Maori language for the Maori section of the New Zealand Anglican Church.
The topic of this thesis is the understanding of God in Te Whakawhelai me te Whakamoemiti/Thanksgiving and Praise. This understanding of God is contextualised to be identified with Maori. The determination for this identification with Maori is based on the above defined Maori factors in conjunction with historical developments. Therefore the process of reinterpretation and recontextualisation is central to ascertain the Maori theology of the text.
A review of historical developments is mode to verify three paints. First. the early translation and their ecclesialogical intent by using the Maori language. Secondly. the development of Anglican Maori personnel within the New Zealand Anglican Church structures. Thirdly. the utilisation of the Maori language to portray God. I deem all three historical points as influential upon the Maori theology in Te Whakawhetai me Ie Whakamoemiti/Thanksgiving and Praise especially the liturgists' capacity to capture the Maori thought processes in an expression of worship.
Emphasis is on two aspects of the Maori language and how these factors determine the Maori theology. It is proposed that the adaptation of literary devices from one mode of language communication to another. that is from orality to literacy. has characterised the Maori theology in the text. Same grammatical constructs of the Maori language are analysed to ascertain the impact these facto" have on the shaping of Maori theology within the text.
I conclude in this thesis that the understanding of God in Te Whakawhetai me te Whakamoemiti/Thanksgiving and Praise is a farm of Maori theology that sits with integrity within the Maori. Christian and Anglican traditions.