Country Churches of NZ 68. Whitikaupeka Maori Whare Karakia, Moawhango

I wrote and illustrated Country Churches of New Zealand. It was published in 2002 by New Holland, Publishers and is still on sale in bookshops. The publishers have kindly agreed to me re-publishing some of the book’s images and descriptions in this blog.

WHITIKAUPEKA MAORI WHARE KARAKIA, MOAWHANGO

Concealed in secret valleys north of Taihape is the small, handsome Maori church, Whitikaupeka, at Moawhango.

It lies snug against a hill in its peaceful churchyard of mature trees not far from the equally compact brick chapel of the long-settled Batley family of Moawhango Station.

The whare karakia's* origin was inspired by Terina Pine, daughter of Ihakara Te Paro, a Ngati Whitikaupeka chief. It was built by James Mair in 1903-4, consecrated in 1905 and resuscitated and restored in 1995.

*Whare karakia is Maori for house of prayer.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
.