This small church on the Onuku Maori reserve near Akaroa is the only tangible reminder of the once thriving Maori community. Completed in 1878 the church was planned to accommodate sixty people and though primarily for the Maori local, Pakeha settlers were also welcome.
A plain timber building with steeply pitched shingle roof its religious purpose is denoted by the tiny bell turret and surmounting crosses. It is picturesquely set in the bay on Akaroa Harbour and is enclosed by a delightfully unregimented picket fence.
By the time of Akaroa's Centenary in 1940 the church had fallen into disrepair. With Government support Maori groups initiated a project to restore it and decorate the porch with traditional carved panels as a centennial memorial to the early Maori. The interior was refurnished and donations of a carved alter and baptismal font gave a distinctive character to the otherwise austere building.
Despite infrequent use the church is carefully maintained and is in excellent order. It is important as a memorial to the Onuku Maori and as the only Maori Church remaining on Banks Peninsula
List Entry Information
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
265
Date Entered
27th June 1985
Date of Effect
27th June 1985
City/District Council
Christchurch City
Region
Canterbury Region
Legal description
Sec 9B NR 886 Blk VIII Akaroa SD
Status
Listed
List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 1
Access
Private/No Public Access
List Number
265
Date Entered
27th June 1985
Date of Effect
27th June 1985
City/District Council
Christchurch City
Region
Canterbury Region
Legal description
Sec 9B NR 886 Blk VIII Akaroa SD
Construction Details
Start Year
1878
Type
Original Construction
Construction Details
Start Year
1878
Type
Original Construction
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Southern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Information in square brackets indicate modifications made after the paper was considered by the NZHPT Board.
Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau
Other Information
This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Southern Regional Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Information in square brackets indicate modifications made after the paper was considered by the NZHPT Board.
Current Usages
Uses: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Former Usages
General Usage: Commemoration
Specific Usage: Monuments, memorial, site of particular event - other
General Usage: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Themes
Of Significance to Maori
Current Usages
Uses: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Former Usages
General Usage: Commemoration
Specific Usage: Monuments, memorial, site of particular event - other
General Usage: Religion
Specific Usage: Church
Themes
Of Significance to Maori
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