On
2 March 1865 Carl Völkner, a German-born missionary, was hanged from
a willow tree near his church at Opotiki. His death was attributed to the
followers of a new religion, Pai Marire, who suspected Völkner of spying for
the government.
Henare Balneavis became private secretary to Apirana Ngata, and continued in this role when Ngata became Native Minister. He went on to serve as private secretary to a number of Native Ministers including W. H. Herries, Gordon Coates, George Forbes and M. J. Savage.
