Story: Biculturalism
John Rutherford was an Englishman who arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand probably in the 1820s. Rutherford was adopted by Ngāpuhi and tattooed on his face and body. He learned to speakte reo Māori, married Māori women and fought with Ngāpuhi during the Musket Wars. He later returned to London.Pākehā–Māori like Rutherford were among the first bicultural New Zealanders.
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Reference: PUBL-0099-299
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How to cite this page
Janine Hayward, Biculturalism – From bicultural to monocultural, and back, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/32138/john-rutherford-pakeha-maori (accessed 27 October 2025).
Story by Janine Hayward, published 14 March 2012, reviewed and revised 10 January 2023 with assistance from Janine Hayward.