Mangātitoki Cameron was born in Pukepoto and was educated at Pukepoto Primary School, St Stephen’s and Te Aute College. He trained in theology at St John’s College, Auckland, and graduated with L.Th. He was involved in the Young Māori Leadership Conferences. He married Norah Hart in 1946 and had four children. After his ordination he worked in parishes in North Wairoa, the Hokianga, Papakura, and was Māori missioner in Taranaki and Māori missioner in Auckland. Cameron was a Canon at St Mary’s Cathedral, Auckland, was vicar of Glen Innes, and became the first minister of the Lynfield Community Church which incorporated five denominations in Mt Roskill. In 1978 he retired and became a relieving chaplain of Auckland University from Cameron was involved in prayer book revision, trained lay readers in the Auckland area, and had an early morning programme on National Radio. He was instrumental in getting recognition for Māori grieving practices and as a result there is a special room called the Mangātitoki Room at Auckland Hospital. Before he died he gave talks to the Auckland Medical School and was a delegate to W.C.C and N.C.C.
Biographical sources
- Phone conversation and correspondence with Mrs Norah Cameron, 2 August 1998, 9 August 1998, and 26 March 2004.
Non-fiction
- "Ko Te Haerenga O Te Wahakapono Ki Aotearoa, Na Manga Kamarie." Te Ao Hou 21 (1957): 23.
- This is the first of three broadcast messages by Cameron on the theme of "The Coming of Christianity to New Zealand."
- "Ko Te Haerenga O Te Wahakapono Ki Aotearoa, Na Manga Kamarie." Te Ao Hou 22 (1958): 19-21.
- These are the two final broadcast messages on "The Coming of Christianity to New Zealand."
- "The Māori in the Pakeha World." Māori and Pakeha: Studies in Christian Responsibility. Christchurch, N.Z.: Women’s Committee of the National Council of Churches in New Zealand, Presbyterian Bookroom, 1964. 17-19.
- Commenting on the trend of Māori migration to Auckland, Cameron examines the impact of the city on Māori. Cameron notes the aspects of life that are important to Māori—religious belief, respect and compassion for others, whanau and iwi relationships, and hospitality—and ponders on the effect of the city on these values.