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New office complex for Te Aka Puaho
Two years in the making, the new office complex of Te Aka Puaho (the Presbyterian Maori synod) was officially opened on 3 April, 2008.
Named Laughton House, the office complex commemorates the late John and Horiana Laughton, who were missionaries to Tuhoe and other iwi. The premises previously occupied in Wellington by Assembly Office were also known as Laughton House but this building was sold in 2006.
The Rev Tom Hawea of Te Teko officially opened the complex. A minister for 50 years, Tom requested that “ministers of today” and not retired ministers officiate during the ceremony as, he laughingly explained, “this is about the church moving into the future rather than looking back; we’re yesterday’s news.”
As part of the ceremony the puhi (maiden) who first entered the office was Hayley Taka of Whakatane, granddaughter of the Rev Meri Caton, the first Maori deaconess and a Presbyterian minister.
Laughton House is situated at 67 Hinemoa Street, Whakatane and houses the Moderator Millie Te Kaawa, clerk of Synod the Rev Awatea Tupe and Te Ahorangi the Rev Wayne Te Kaawa.