The Story of "Arohanui Ki Te Tangata" The Meeting-House of "Goodwill to all Men" Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt City, Wellington, New Zealand. [Signed by Ihaia Puketapu]

The Story of . 'Arohanui Ki Te Tangata' -- the Meeting-House of 'Goodwill To All Men', Waiwhetu, Lower Hutt. SIGNED & dated by Ihaia Porutu Puketapu 10-9-60. (This was signed at the official opening of the Meeting House).

Small stapled booklet, 35 pages with photos & illustrations. Some marks & wear to covers, minor creasing otherwise a very good copy. Binding tight.

The house, named Arohanui ki te Tangata, was the fulfilment of the prophecy given to Puketapu by Te Whiti half a century earlier. The carved figures around the fence represented the principal migration canoes, making it a house for all Maori; the contributions to its building made by the Pakeha community meant that it was also a house for both races. Its interior included free-standing carvings representing Te Whiti and his fellow prophet, Tohu Kakahi. The house was officially opened in September 1960, the year in which Puketapu was made an OBE for his service to the Maori people. Ihaia Porutu Puketapu was a prominent leader of Te Ati Awa of the Wellington and Hutt Valley districts. He was born at Waiwhetu in the Hutt Valley on 7 February 1887, the eldest of four brothers and one sister. His father, Hapi Tutua Puketapu, and mother, Mihi Korama Woodgate, both belonged to Te Matehou, Hamua, and Puketapu hapu of Te Ati Awa. Ihaia s mother was also of English lineage, being a grand-daughter of James Worser Heberley, a well-known identity during the early European settlement of Wellington. One of Ihaia s paternal great-grandfathers was Te Rira Porutu of Te Matehou, a principal leader at Pipitea pa and a signatory to the Treaty of Waitangi. His wife, Te Awa, was closely related to the Taranaki prophet Te Whiti-o-Rongomai.