[1] The Wesleyan Missionary Society (WMS) established its first mission in New Zealand at Whangaroa in 1823, focusing on spreading Christianity and literacy.

[2] In 1859, a committee of Wesleyan ministers under the leadership of Thomas Buddle determined to publish a periodical in the Māori language to 'supply our people with a little reading adapted to promote their religious and social progress.

Te Haeata faced challenging circumstances, including the decreased willingness of the WMS to support the Māori mission, the increased necessity to accommodate the spiritual needs of European settlers to New Zealand, and the wars in Waikato and Taranaki.

[3] Te Haeata covered a range of issues, including scriptural lessons, meetings held by Wesleyan missionaries, moral tales, and the Kohimarama Conference.

Te Haeata described Protestantism as the 'True Church' and criticised practices such as idol worship, praying to Mary, and what it referred to as 'errors' within Catholicism.