Poynton's
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- Biography-Early Years.
- Mary Kennedy Poynton: Born: 1812, Sydney, Australia.Occupation: Home mother.
- Married: 1828Children: Mary Margret, Edward and Catherine.Moved: In 1828 they moved to NZ from Australia.Lived: Hokianga NZ.The Poynton's were the first catholic missionairies to arrive and settle down in NZ.
- Thomas Poynton:Born: 1802, Ballinor Island, IrelandOccupation: Manager of a timber and shipping company.
- Every Sunday, the Poynton's would read aloud the prayers of the mass and invite their Maori and Pakeha neighbors over to say the rosary with them. After the Poynton's journey to Sydney, they influenced many other Maori and Pakeha families to sail overseas for their own reasons of faith. In 1835 Thomas Cassidy of Waima took his partner, Maraea Kuri, to Sydney so they could get married and have their first child baptised. The same year two young Maori people were sent to Sydney by their Rangatira (chief) to be instructed in the Catholic faith and trained as catechists.
- Encouragement Of Catholic Practise.
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- The Poynton's Journey Of Faith
- The Poynton's took their first two children over to Sydney to be baptised. It was an extremely dangerous trip through thousands of miles of sea. With two children the trip was going to be a nightmare. But they didn't lose faith and safely had their children baptised. They then returned home to Hokianga.
- Mary and Thomas first met in Sydney Australia after Thomas was transported from France to Australia. He was convicted of "whiteboyism". This means he was in a secret Irish organization, which used violent tactics to defend tenant farmer land rights.
- The Arrival Of Bishop Pompallier And The First Mass In New Zealand.
- In 1838 Bishop Pompallier arrived in Totara point, Hokianga, New Zealand. He was accompanied by a priest and a brother. Once landing in New Zealand the first mass was celebrated on January 13, 1838.When people in Hokianga and nearby heard the exciting news they all gathered at the Poynton's small 4 room cottage for the first mass in New Zealand.
- The Poynton's understood that Maori had their own rich spirituality and their own culture. They respected this and realized that Maori had their own sacred connection to the creating world and their God's. The Poynton's showed the Maori their connection with God and their neighbors did the same.
- The First Baptism And Church Burial In New Zealand.
- Before leaving to Sydney on boat, the Poynton's reached out to Bishop Polding in Sydney and Rome to request a Priest. As the number of Catholics in Hokianga grew they knew it would be best if there was a Priest in New Zealand.
- The Poynton's Legacy.
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- The Poynton's (the first catholic missionaries in NZ) influenced many New Zealanders on their catholic journey. They encouraged people to follow their hearts and taught them catholic values and introduced the bible to New Zealanders. In Totara point, Hokianga a crescent, and a monument are named in their legacy.
- Bishop Pompallier spoke neither English nor Maori but quickly showed the ability to learn both languages. During his time in New Zealand, he published prayer books and a catechism in Maori with the help of the Poynton's and his Maori friends. Bishop's plan was to make Aotearoa his headquarters and to spread the knowledge of Christianity.
- Edwards's passing was a horrifying tragedy to the Poynton family. He was only 5 at the age of his passing. Edward then received the first church burial in New Zealand.
- The Poynton's youngest child Catherine had the first baptism in New Zealand. This day made history in New Zealand as there were thousands of more baptisms to follow. A week after Catherine was baptised the Poynton's second oldest child Edward suddenly passed away.
- The Poynton's owned a large amount of land in Takapuna, Auckland after moving there in 1840. They donated some of their land to Bishop Pompallier who then went on to sell this land to the Sisters Of Mercy. It was purchased by Catherine, the Poynton's youngest child who was a member of the Sisters of Mercy. This land was then used to build two Catholic schools, St Joseph's Takapuna primary school and Carmell college girls' secondary school.
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