Paipera Tapu 2012 (MRI2012)

Overview

Paipera Tapu 2012 is a reformatted edition of the complete Maori Bible, published by Bible Society New Zealand Charitable Trust in 2012. [1] It represents the most significant update to the Maori Bible text in 60 years, presenting the 1952 text in a modernized format with macrons to indicate vowel length, revised punctuation with speech marks, section headings, and paragraphing. [1][2] The original Te Paipera Tapu was first published in 1868 under the supervision of Hebrew scholar and missionary Robert Maunsell, with subsequent editions appearing in 1889, 1925, and 1952. [3]

Translation History

The history of the Maori Bible begins in August 1827, when the first Scriptures in Maori were produced at a press in Sydney. [3] William Colenso arrived at Paihia in 1834 with a Stanhope printing press and printed the first book published in New Zealand -- a 16-page edition of Ephesians and Philippians in Maori. [3] From 1836 through 1837, Colenso printed 5,000 copies of the first New Testament in Maori. [3] The complete Bible, Te Paipera Tapu, was first published in 1868, produced over 31 years under Robert Maunsell's supervision. [3] Three further editions followed in 1889, 1925, and 1952. [3]

After considerable consultation with the Maori Christian community, Bible Society New Zealand began work in 1999 to reformat the 1952 text, aiming to present it in a more accessible format for newer generations of Maori speakers. [4] Te Kawenata Hou (the New Testament portion) was published in this reformatted edition in 2009, and the full Bible, Te Paipera Tapu 2012, followed in 2012. [4]

Publishing and Organizations

Bible Society New Zealand gratefully acknowledged the assistance of Te Pihopitanga o Aotearoa, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, and many volunteers in producing the 2012 reformatted edition. [1] The edition is available in hardcover, softcover, and digital eBook formats. [1]

References