Ruatara was a Nga Puhi chief from the Bay of Islands. Marsden thought he was a nephew of Te Pahi on his father’s side and of Hongi Hika on his mother’s side. Recent studies have questioned this, and it is now suggested that his father was Te Aweawe of Ngati Rahiri and Ngati Tautahi sections of Nga Puhi, and his mother Tauramoko of Ngati Rahiri and Ngati Hineira.

Wanting to see the world, Ruatara signed on as crew on the Whaling ship "Argo" he served on a number of ships, often being unfairly treated. In 1809, he had made his way to Britain, but was badly beaten on the wharf. Chaplain Samuel Marsden a passenger on the "Ann" sailing to Australia found him in a pitiful state, vomiting blood from the beating he had received. Marsden nursed him back to health and invited him to his farm in Parramatta, where Ruatara learned a great deal about agriculture.

In 1812, Ruatara arrived back in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand to discover that he was now heir to Te Pahi’s mana. Still in his 20's, he needed to prove himself as a chief. The weapons and tools he had brought with him helped, but he found it harder to persuade others of the advantages. Ruatara went back to Port Jackson and learned more European technological skills. When Samuel Marsden sailed to New Zealand in late 1814, Ruatara leading a party of 10 Maori were on board, and Marsden came at Ruatara's invitation and under his protection. They arrived at the Bay of Islands on 22 December 1814. Ruatara made the necessary preparations for the first church service on New Zealand soil, at Oihi Bay on Sunday, Christmas Day 1814. Half an acre of land was fenced; in the centre there was a pulpit and reading desk. Seats made from the bottoms of old canoes were provided for the Europeans. At 10 o’clock on the 25th, the whole village was assembled.

Before Marsden returned to Port Jackson, Ruatara shared his enthusiastic vision for bringing large areas of land into cultivation, and establishing a town on a European pattern, with streets and provision for a church. But Ruatara was already seriously ill when Marsden left, and he died 4 days later.

Ruatara is remembered on 11 May, the day before Samuel Marsden, because his hospitality and vision made the way possible for Samuel Marsden, so we honour him as, “Te Ara mo te Rongopai”, “The Gateway for the Gospel”.