James and Mary Wallis

Eventually becoming frustrated at the lack of spiritual input he was able to contribute he pushed for a new mission base to be established under his leadership in the Kawhia and Whaingaroa (now known as Raglan) regions further south on the west coast of the North Island.

[4] In April 1835, James and Mary Wallis, along with another missionary couple and a number Maori Chiefs from Hokianga arrived – via a three-day sailing journey at Kāwhia Harbour.

While Mrs Wallis stayed at Kawhia with the other missionaries, James journeyed on foot to Raglan, a distance of about 30 km across very rough terrain with his local Maori guide who had been expecting his arrival - some 12 months previous, the establishment of a mission station had been agreed between Maori Chiefs and members of a Wesleyan reconnaissance tour of the region.... “Here [at Raglan] I was met with a warm reception from the natives who from various considerations welcomed me as their future instructor.

"[3]Immediately upon arrival - in between the practicalities of establishing a mission station complete with gardens and home, religious services began with the attendance of as many as 200 people at one time.

The Lord has been please own our labors at Waingaroa in a measure far surpassing anything we had anticipated and the people have regarded us as their principal friends.... Several of them accompanied us to sea as far as they safety could then threw themselves into their canoes returning to land with hearts overwhelmed.

On 4 March 1839, the barque Elizabeth which had been charted by Wallis arrived at Raglan to be greeted by a large crowd of Maori who had gathered to express joy at the return of the Missionaries.

The Wallis's therefore made arrangements for the future of the mission to be at Nihinihi on the south side of the harbour and so land was purchased and James began construction of... “The third station, the entire of which in planning and building etc, has exclusively devolved upon myself, and when I look back on the years I have spent in NZ, I am grieved that a greater portion of my time has not been more directly devoted to the spiritual interests of the perishing...” On the first Sunday after his return Wallis preached twice at the old Chapel at Te Horea to a congregation of nearly 500 and married and baptised two couples.

James and Mary were to serve in the region until 1863 when they were transferred to Onehunga for health reasons – there was a large gathering of local Maori and Europeans to pay respect to the Missionaries as they departed.