Nukai Peniamina was a Niuean who brought

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...

to the island of

Niue Niue (, ; niu, Niuē) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand. Niue's land area is about and its population, predominantly Polynesian, was about 1,600 in 2016. Niue is located in a triangle between Tong ...

in 1846.

Conversion

In 1830, the

London Missionary Society The London Missionary Society was an interdenominational evangelical missionary society formed in England in 1795 at the instigation of Welsh Congregationalist minister Edward Williams. It was largely Reformed in outlook, with Congregational miss ...

took two local boys (Uea and Niumaga) away from the island and attempted to convert them. When they returned, they were no longer accepted and Uea was killed. Niumaga soon decided to leave for

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono Island, Manono an ...

with his friend; Nukai Peniamina. There, Peniamina began to work as servant for Dr. George Turner, a

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

missionary. Nukai learned to read and write and was converted to Christianity, subsequently being trained as a pastor in

Malua Malua is a small village on the Samoan island of Upolu. The name originates from the Samoan word "Maluapapa" which is translated 'shelter under the rock'. It is located on the northwestern coast of the island in the electoral constituency (''faip ...

Theological College in Samoa.

Return

In 1846, Peniamina returned to Niue on board the ''

John Williams John Towner Williams (born February 8, 1932)Nylund, Rob (15 November 2022)Classic Connection review ''WBOI'' ("For the second time this year, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic honored American composer, conductor, and arranger John Williams, who wa ...

'', accompanied by Fakafitifonua (a Niuean with influence on the island). On 26 October, and on their fifth landing attempt, the chiefs of

Mutalau Mutalau is one of the fourteen villages of Niue. Its population at the 2017 census was 100, up from 97 in 2011. History Overview It was previously known as Ululauta and Matahefonua. ''Ululauta'' and ''Matahefonua'' both mean "head of the land". ...

accepted them. Peniamina was taken to the 'Taue i Fupiu' where he is said to have been constantly protected by 61 warriors, due to were many plots to kill him and Fakafitifonua. Christianity was first taught to the Mutalau people before it spread to the other villages on the island, the last of them being

Vaiea Vaiea is one of the fourteen villages of Niue Niue (, ; niu, Niuē) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand. Niue's land area is about and its population, predominantly Polynesian, was about 1,600 in 20 ...

Later life

Peniamina remained at the station at

until October 1849, when it was taken over by a Samoan. In 1850, it was found that Peniamina had had an extra-marital relationship with another woman. Although acceptable in Niuean society at the time, it was not permitted by his missionary superiors. Peniamina was banished and sent out to sea on a canoe. He settled in Samoa and died on 6 March 1874. He is buried in the Niuean village of

Makefu Makefu is one of the fourteen villages of Niue. Its population at the 2017 census was 70, up from 64 in 2011. The village was established by villagers from Tuapa Tuapa is one of the fourteen villages of Niue. Its population at the 2017 census was ...

Legacy

Every fourth Friday in October, Niueans celebrate 'Gospel Day' to remember Peniamina. Additionally, the Mutalau Show Day is held on the final Saturday of October, to celebrate his landing there in 1846.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peniamina, Nukai Year of birth missing Converts to Christianity 1874 deaths Niuean Congregationalist missionaries Congregationalist missionaries in Niue 1846 in Niue