Thomas Kendall, a schoolmaster, was one of the three Church Missionary Society workers to accompany Samuel Marsden to New Zealand in 1814. In 1815 a small number of children were instructed in Kendall’s home, and in 1816 a schoolhouse was opened at Rangihoua, Bay of Islands, with 33 pupils, girls and boys. In 1817 the roll stood at 70, half girls and half boys, aged from seven to seventeen. Kendall compiled the first written text in Màori, The New Zealanders’ First Book, setting the stage for rapid development of literacy in te reo Màori.