Kaikohe Aperahama Church

Kaikohe Aperahama Church and Cemetery - Autumn 2018

This historic church was built by Neilsen brothers and opened in 1885 but is now owned by the Ngati Tautahi hapu. Kaikohe is in the surrounding areas near Kerikeri and I can't wait to explore the far north of NZ. Last week my daughter and I collected empty boxes from our workplaces. I've started filling them up, so far I've packed my collection of favourite books, towels/sheets etc from the linen cupboard, my vintage glassware that belonged to my nana and 3/4 of the drinking glasses.  The rest of this week outside of work I'll be starting on plates, the bathroom and the bedroom - think that'll keep me going for a while.

All Saints Anglican Church, Edgecumbe

One of the things I love to photograph are churches, the older the better. On our way through Edgecumbe recently we stopped outside this one - the All Saints Anglican church.

This diocese of Waiapu was founded in 1858 and in 1859 the first Bishop was ordained named William Williams (how about that name). This diocese was first named after the river flowing under the sacred mountain of Hikirangi and has both Maori and Pakeha strands together since it began with Maori and their missionary evangelists.

Unfortunately in 2017 this area of the Bay of Plenty suffered catastrophic flooding due to Cyclone Debbie and the stopbank protecting the town from the Rangitaiki River burst on 6th April. Flooding hit the town and some of the houses were ruined, residents were evacuated and some were unable to return.  Luckily the church hasn't been affected.

Kutarere Church - 1861

One of those rainy bleak miserable days we had recently we decided to go for a drive and on the way through the countryside I spotted this old church near Opotiki. Looking very old and neglected the Kutarere Church made around 1861 is apparently in the process of being restored by local residents.

A bit of background I found says this:
Opotiki was originally the most populous of several Maori settlements in the vicinity of Opotiki Harbour and was known as Pakowhai. It was a main settlement of the Whakatohea tribe. In August 1861 the Rev. Carl Sylvius Volkner arrived at Pakowhai to establish a mission station and, with Maori help, built a church. When the Whakatohea allied themselves with the Maori “King” movement in 1864, Volkner took his wife to Auckland for safety. During his absence Hauhau emissaries converted most of their tribe to the cause and, subsequently, the mission station was sacked. Volkner was brutally murdered when he returned in March 1865. A punitive expedition arrived by sea on 8 September 1865 and landed at the present town site. Fighting ensued and the hostile inhabitants fled. Intermittent skirmishing with the Hauhaus continued in the immediate district until about the middle of 1868. Most of the original Opotiki settlers were members of the 1st Waikato Regiment who were allotted sections.

An identical one was built which is currently being used in another town but it's nice to know this one will hopefully be looking nice and tidy again soon. 

Fraser Road Presbyterian Church - Pokeno

Sometimes on our travels we try to stop at any old historical churches we see. On our road trip to Auckland last week we drove past this one on Fraser Road in Pokeno called the Presbyterian Church. Apparently it first opened in 1883 but is now someone's private residence - lucky them!

\And with the cemetery next door looking out onto the rolling countryside I bet they have the quietest neighbours.

Linking up with Our World Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday :-)