Rota Waitoa is reportedly of Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Maru and Te Arawa descent and was an early convert of Octavius Hadfield at Waikanae. He took the name Rota (Lot), probably at his baptism by Hadfield on 17 October 1841 at Otaki. He moved to Auckland with Bishop Selwyn in 1842 becoming his friend and travelling companion for 12 years.

During that time, he attended St John’s College, Auckland. He was noted for his high standard of knowledge, sincerity and humility. He became master of the junior department of the Māori boys' school, Abraham scholar and catechist. He was described as “a man of integrity and exceptional intelligence”, possessing a warm and generous nature.

On 22 May 1853, he was the first Maori ordained a deacon, appointed to the Kawakawa pastorate at Te Araroa, East Cape. After 7 years he became the first Maori ordained priest at Gisborne, on 4 March 1860, by Bishop William Williams.

During 1861 Rota took Archdeacon Charles Abraham through the Taranaki area to explain the Maori view of “whenua”. Rota believed that the people’s spirit would be renewed through the gathering of communities of faith and the saving actions of Christ.

Rota's was then posted to the territory of the famous Ngati Porou chief Te Houkamau, who was not sympathetic to missionaries. The chief delighted in making Rota’s life difficult. He claimed his crops, had him move his garden as soon as Rota had it planted, refused him labour, and subverted his converts and students. Through all this Rota patiently went about spreading his message and replanting his garden every time it was shifted. He would also round up his stock when they were scattered and say nothing when they were killed. He simply went on encouraging his people when they were challenged by all these things. Gradually he won the respect of Te Houkamau with his dogged good humor. They became close friends and allies, when Rota was sick and had to be taken to Auckland, the great chief pleaded for his return. He offered to be the church sweeper and bell ringer if only Rota would come back. Te Houkamau was baptized Iharaira (Israel) by Rota, and built a special pa, Makeronia (Macedonia), to shelter the faithful during the Hauhau conflict in the 1860s. While the European missionaries were forced to retreat from the area, Rota, stayed with his people. Te Houkamau and Rota were linked together for the rest of Rota’s life. They built two churches together: St Barnabas’ at Hicks Bay and St Stephen’s at Te Araroa.

Throughout 1865-66 Rota rebuilt the faith of his people, travelling throughout his district supporting and encouraging his flock. Sadly, he was thrown from his horse and badly injured. Bishop Selwyn, brought him and his family to Auckland for medical treatment, but his injuries were too serious, and he died. His son followed in his footsteps, becoming an Anglican clergyman. Rota’s memory and his line are woven into the story of Christianity on the East Coast.

BORN: Date Unknown, Waitoa, New Zealand

DIED: 22 July 1866, Auckland, New Zealand.