mihanere

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n. a convert to Christianity; a Maorivariant of the English word Missionary.


1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. ii.pp. 11, 12:

«The mihanere natives, as a body, were distinctly inferior inpoint of moral character to the natives, who remained withtheir ancient customs unchanged. . . . A very common answerfrom a converted native, accused of theft, was, `How can thatbe? I am a mihanere.' . . . They were all mihanere, orconverts.»