Johann Riemenschneider

Johann Riemenschneider missionary in New Zealand. Riemenschneider was born in the city of Bremen and studied under the North German Missionary Society in Hamburg before departing for New Zealand. Early life

Johann Riemenschneider was born 6 August 1817 in Bremen. Riemenschneider was a member of St Stephen's parish in Bremen. In 1837 Riemenschneider moved to Hamburg to study under the North German Missionary Society. Johan Wohlers was a fellow student and friend of Riemenschneider at the Mission Society school. The two men were taught English, algebra, geography, natural history, trigonometry, and music in addition to theological studies. Missionary career

Riemenschneider conducted sermons for German settlers in Nelson for a short while before heading to Taupo to establish a mission. Upon arrival at Taupo, Riemenschneider discovered that a Catholic mission had already been established up and instead went to Motu Karamu, a pā on the Mokau River. Riemenschneider had a rapport with the local Māori and was a medium for contact between the Crown and Taranaki Māori during the First Taranaki War. Many Mãori grew hostile to missionaries during the war and Riemenschneider was advised by Governor Thomas Gore Browne to evacuate; Riemenschneider moved his family to Nelson but returned to the Warea mission station.