Missionaries in New Zealand began developing written Maori in 1810 to facilitate Bible translation, significantly impacting language preservation and education. This effort helped to standardize the Maori language and fostered literacy among indigenous populations. The introduction of written language played a crucial role in shaping cultural identity and interactions between Maori and European settlers.

Missionary literacy efforts in Maori New Zealand since 1810 preserved and transformed Maori oral poetry into written forms. Poets like Hone Tuwhare have drawn on this rich heritage to explore themes of identity and cultural resilience in contemporary literature.