On Saturday 4 August, representatives from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand will attend a special service at Maungapohatu, in the Ureweras, to return land to the local people.
Te Aka Puaho (the Presbyterian Maori Synod) and the Presbyterian Church Property Trustees have concluded lengthy negotiations to return the title of the land to the Te Mapou Papakainga Trust of Maungapohatu. Negotiations started in 1991 but have stalled several times; they resumed last year and the Rev Wayne Te Kaawa has conducted extensive research into the complex history of the property and its title.
Mr Te Kaawa says this research revealed that the property was originally part of a 60 acre Mapou Papakainga block that belonged to the the people of Maungapohatu, with ownership residing with the hapu rather than any individual.
Mr Te Kaawa says in 1923 the Crown purchased part of this Papakainga block. In 1927 it sold this property to the Presbyterian Church for 10 pounds.
“It is wonderful that the property is returning to the Mapou Papakainga Trust, thus completing the circle.”
The Rev John Laughton started a mission and school on the land in 1918, both of which operated until 1950, after which the buildings gradually fell into disrepair. The property will be restored to maintain its unique character, with uses under consideration including housing, a school, Kohanga reo and retreat centre.
The handover celebrations start on Saturday 4 August with a visit to the grave of Sister Annie Henry, who had established a school and mission in Ruatahuna in 1917, both of which are still operating.
Following this, a special service will be held in Maungapohatu, with guests including the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the Assembly Executive Secretary, representatives of the Church Property Trustees and the Council of Assembly, and many connected with early missionary families. Up to 200 attendees are expected.
People will stay at the historic Te Whai a te Motu Marae in Ruatahuna on Saturday night and on Sunday a special service will be held to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the relationship between the Presbyterian Church and the Tuhoe Iwi. The relationship began when Sister Annie Henry established her mission and school in Ruatahuna and Mrs Annie Gorrie started her school and mission in Te Whaiti.
On Monday, the people of Maungapohatu and Ruatahuna are invited to Whakatane Musuem to view some taonga of the Tuhoe people. These taonga were gifted to the Rev John Laughton and Sister Annie Henry while they ministered in Maungapohatu and Ruatahuna. Included among the 50 artefacts are a cooking pot that belonged to Captain James Cook and a carved gourd brought to Aotearoa New Zealand aboard the Mataatua waka in 1350. Museum staff will facilitate an interactive seminar on each taonga.
Media representatives are welcome to attend all or part of the weekend. Please contact the Rev Wayne Te Kaawa (07) 322 9228 for more information; some of the venues are remote and access is difficult.
See the following programme for more information and contacts.
Saturday 4 August
8.30am Visit grave of Sister Annie Henry
10am Powhiri at Maungapohatu
11am Special Service to return property to people of Maungapohatu
1pm Hakari
Contact people:
Rev Wayne Te Kaawa (Negotiator for Te Aka Puaho)
(07) 322-9228
Mr Richard Tumarae (Principal negotiator for Maungapohatu)
Ph (07) 366 3993
Sunday 5 August
10am 90th Anniversary Service at Potikitiketike Church, Ruatahuna
Contact person:
Rev Wayne Te Kaawa
Phone (07) 322-9228
Monday 6 August
10.30am Powhiri at Whakatane Museum
11am Karakia
11.15am Viewing of historic taonga
Interactive discussion/seminar
Contact people:
Dr Ray Thorburn
Cultural and Arts Manager Whakatane District Council
Phone (07) 306-0500
Ms Hinewai Katene
Iwi Liaison for Whakatane District Council
Phone (07) 306-0500
Mrs Tapara Hiakita-Reid
Whakatane Museum
Phone (07) 306-0505