Octavius Hadfield spent his early years in various parts of Europe. In 1832 he went to Pembroke College, Oxford, but had to give up due to illness, with no degree, he was refused ordination in England. Recovered, he fulfilled his wish to become a missionary, the Church Missionary Society sent him to Australia in 1838. He was made deacon in Sydney and accompanied Bishop Broughton to New Zealand to report on it's church. Hadfield became the first priest to be ordained in New Zealand.

He worked a while at Waimate North, learning Te Reo (Maori). Then Tamihana, son of Te Rauparaha, and his cousin Matene Te Whiwhi, came north seeking a missionary for the Kapiti coast. Hadfield, knowing it was dangerous, offered himself, thinking he didn't have long to live anyway, due to his health. Working from Otaki among the Ngati Toa and the Ngati Raukawa and also from Waikanae among the Te Ati Awa, Hadfield established churches and schools. The gospel spread, and formerly warring tribes made peace. Hadfield earned the profound respect of both Maori and Pakeha. In the aftermath of the Wairau incident (1843), Te Rauparaha was determined to destroy the Pakeha settlement at Wellington and would if not for Hadfield.

In 1844 Hadfield’s health broke down, for 4 years while close to death, he remained an influential figure in Wellington, frequently consulted by the new governor, George Grey; especially on matters of Maori land tenure. In 1849 his health improved, and he returned with acclamation to Otaki, where Te Rauparaha had built him the beautiful Rangiatea Church. Hadfield was made archdeacon of Kapiti, and in 1852 married Catherine Williams, 3rd daughter of Henry and Marianne Williams.

Work in Otaki flourished, but Hadfield was increasingly at odds with government policy over Maori affairs, especially the war in Waitara (1860). He was vilified in the press, called “a traitor and a bigoted, meddlesome missionary”. But in the end even Prime Minister Stafford agreed Hadfield was right. During the dispute, Hadfield published 3 influential pamphlets on the war, was involved with a petition for the recall of the governor, and had to defend himself before the House of Representatives in August 1860. Later he supported Ngati Raukawa in their claims before the Native Land Court.

When the Diocese of Wellington was formed in 1858, Hadfield was offered the bishopric, but declined. When Bishop Abraham resigned in 1870, Hadfield (age 56), was again offered the position and this time accepted it. As bishop of Wellington and later as primate (1890-1893), Hadfield defended the independence of the New Zealand church from the Church of England. He was a fine administrator, a big supporter of Sunday schools and church schools. He worked hard to see churches and parishes established throughout the Diocese of Wellington. Hadfield retired to Marton in 1893 and passed away aged 91.

BORN: 6 October 1814, Bonchurch, Isle of Wight

DIED: 11 December 1904, Marton, New Zealand