Dates

• Existence: 1835 - 1919

Biography

James Stack was born in a Maori pa at Puriri, where his parents James and Mary were missionaries for the Church Missionary Society. He became fluent in Maori, and Maori ways. In 1848 the family returned to England, but in 1852 James returned to New Zealand as a teacher for the C.M.S. In 1859 Bishop Harper invited him to Canterbury, where he was ordained in 1862. He established a mission house, church and school at Tuahiwi. In 1874 he returned to Christchurch. He had been a Government interpreter from 1860, and now became inspector of native schools throughout the South Island, and made annual reports to the Native Department about South Island Maoris. In 1880 funds ran out for this work. He became vicar of Duvauchelle 1880-1883, St. Albans 1884-1885, Kaiapoi and Woodend 1885-1888, and finally Fendalton 1888-1898. In 1898 he and his wife moved to Italy where her brother lived, and finally to England in 1907. He died there in 1919.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records: