God's Messenger. J F Riemenschneider and Racial Conflict in 19th Century New Zealand. By Peter Oettli. In Softcovers, First edition 2008, Colour and Black and white Plates, Reproductions of art works, maps, illustrations, 255 Pages, Published By Huia Publishers Wellington. A Fine Copy. 'God's Messenger is a new biography of the North German missionary Rev J F Riemenschneider, who settled in the Taranaki region in the first half of the nineteenth century. The book not only details the life and work of Riemenschneider but also examines the socio-political context of nineteenth century New Zealand. It documents the social conditions of Taranaki Maori in the mid-nineteenth century and increasing tensions between colonists and Maori, leading to the land wars with Taranaki'