This collection was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World New Zealand register in 2018, in recognition of it's global significance. The New Zealand Memory of the World Programme is one of over 60 Memory of the World programmes worldwide. It was established in 2010 by the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. The Establishment Committee's members have a broad knowledge of New Zealand’s heritage institutions and communities. (Source: http://www.unescomow.org.nz/about-us/about-us)

See also MS-2013-4.

Charles Baker was born on 5 August 1803, at Packington, Leicestershire, England. After the death of his first wife Sophia in 1826, Baker joined the Anglican Church Missionary Society. He was soon appointed to New Zealand, and set sail from Woolwich, England, aboard the brig 'Minerva' with his second wife Hannah, arriving in the Bay of Islands on 9 June 1828. Baker and his family lived and worked at the Kerikeri Mission Station until 1834. They then moved to the Paihia Mission Station where, in 1835, Baker was instrumental in the building of Christ Church at Kororareka (now Russell). It is now the oldest church in New Zealand. Baker assisted with the translation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) into Māori, and was present at its signing on 6 February 1840. The Baker family was stationed at Waikare (1840-42), Tolaga Bay (1843-51), Rangitukia (1854-57), and Tauranga (1860-63), where he was ordained. In 1865 Baker retired to Auckland. He died on 6 February 1875, and was buried at St. Stephen’s Church Cemetery in Parnell, Auckland.