Samuel Marsden was an English missionary and farmer known for his significant role in the early European settlement of New Zealand. Born in 1765, he arrived in New Zealand in 1814, where he worked to spread Christianity among the Māori people. Marsden established the first permanent European settlement in Bay of Islands and was instrumental in building schools and churches. In addition to his missionary work, Marsden was also involved in agriculture and introduced various farming practices to the region. He played a crucial role in fostering relationships between European settlers and the Māori, although his legacy is complex due to the impacts of colonization.