Ancestral meeting house to be returned to Rotorua Iwi

A landmark decision looks set to see the historic meeting house, Hinemihi o te Ao Tawhito, return from half way around the world to her home – Rotorua.

The meeting house, which safely sheltered people during the 1886 Tarawera Eruption, has been in England for almost 130 years but now the National Trust UK has agreed in principle to a carving exchange which will see her returned to her people, Ngāti Hinemihi of Rotorua.

Rangitihi Pene, Chairman of Ngā Kohinga Whakairo o Hinemihi, said all of Ngāti Hinemihi were absolutely delighted at the decision.

“This taonga means so much to our people and it will be an auspicious day when she is returned to us.

“Built in 1880, Hinemihi o te Ao Tawhito safely sheltered 45 of our people during the 1886 Tarawera eruption. Only six years after that, she was purchased for the sum of 50 pounds and shipped to England.

“She’s now stood for 127 years in Clandon Park in Surrey, going through several transformations. This decision by the National Trust UK will be a final transformation for her as she is returned to her ancestral home.”

In 2015 a massive fire gutted Clandon Manor providing the catalyst for a carving exchange. Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga initiated discussions with the National Trust UK.

Two representatives of the National Trust visited Rotorua in 2017 and three high level officials of Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga visited London the following year.

“In August this year, representatives from Ngāti Hinemihi travelled to London to present our case in support of the carving exchange,” said Pene. “It was an incredibly moving visit for both ourselves and our hosts who got to learn more about Hinemihi o te Ao Tawhito and our tupuna wahine Hinemihi of Te Arawa (whom the whare is named after).”

Last week, the National Trust UK contacted Ngāti Hinemihi and Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga to say that they had agreed-in-principle to the exchange.

“We believe this will take about five to six years,” said Pene. “Our emphasis is now on strengthening the ongoing relationship between Ngāti Hinemihi, Te Arawa, Rotorua on the one hand, and the National Trust, Clandon Park and Guildford Borough Council on the other.

“We are planning a trip to London in June 2020 to further strengthen the partnership and collaboratively plan the building of a new wharenui at Clandon Park, to be named Te Hono (The Link or The Connection). Te Puia have agreed to carve the majority of the carvings.”

The visit will also be an opportunity for Ngāti Hinemihi to thank Ngāti Rānana (kaitiaki or unofficial guardians of Hinemihi since the 1950s) and Te Maru o Hinemihi (an advocary group) for their support. The new whare will be placed in Clandon Park at a location yet to be finalised.

It has yet to be agreed where Hinemihi o te Ao Tawhito will be placed upon her return with several possible locations under review.