As we approach the season of Easter, I thought, what would we discover looking back at old papers of how Easter was celebrated here in Rotorua over the years?
17 April 1895 from the Hot Lakes Chronicle describes a Sunday School picnic held on Easter Monday by the Presbyterian church. The article talks of "
an abundance of good things provided" but there's no specific mention of Easter Eggs, chocolate or the Easter Bunny.
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| Hot Lakes Chronicle 17 April 1895, p 2 |
As well as information about different services that would be held on the Good Friday and Easter Sunday, sporting events (such as the Yachting regatta) were announced, and notice of shop services alterations for the four days were advised in 1956. Mention is made of the availability in the shops of "
Novelties...Easter eggs, bunnies and chickens for the children". More weight is given to the church services that will be held.
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| Daily Post 28 March 1956 |
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| Daily Post 28 March 1956 |
Following the Easter weekend of 1956, there was a description in the paper of packed churches and accounts of the different services held by the Presbyterian, Anglican and Catholic churches.
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| Daily Post 2 April 1956, p 1 |
In the Photo News of May 1965, there are photos of churches in a
Procession of witness leading to a combined service. Was this part of the Easter or pre-Easter celebrations? If anyone should know, the library staff would love to hear from you.
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| Photo News 8 May 1965, p 7 |
The Easter Yachting Regatta is still going strong in 1965...
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| Photo News 8 May 1965 |
and there's now Powerboat Racing as well.
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| Photo News 8 May 1965 |
Easter treats in the form of Easter Eggs were delivered to children in the cerebral palsy unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital hospital by the Easter bunny, courtesy of Jaycees.
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| Photo News 7 April 1967, p 19 |
An Easter tomb with the stone rolled away was constructed at the entrance to the Rotorua City Christian Fellowship, to remind people that "
Easter is about the death and resurrection of Jesus"
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| Daily Post 2 April 1994, p 2 |
In 1995 children were read to by the Easter Bunny during a Library holiday programme.
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| Daily Post 12 April 1995, p 1 |
At Cantabria, residents got into the fun of making and decorating hats for the annual Easter bonnet parade.
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| Daily Post 13 April 1995, p 1 |
"Passion in the Park", a multi-denominational passion play was presented at the Lakefront in 1997. The previous year, the production was in the FRI grounds.
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| Daily Post 27 March 1997, p 2 |
By 1998, the Antiques fair was held in Rotorua over Easter weekend, with lots of folks in attendance at the Rotorua Convention Centre.
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| Daily Post 14 April 1998, p 1 |
Not just the young received Easter goodies. The Rotorua Host Lions Club delivered Easter gifts of hot cross buns, sweets and fruit to residents of pensioner flats.
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| Daily Post 22 April 1998, p 9 |
At St Lukes Anglican church, Music for Passiontide was performed on Good Friday, while Destiny church also had an Easter production, Rezurrection Road on Easter Sunday.
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| Daily Post 11 April 2001, p 12 |
The Daily Post, on 24 April 2001, had a special lift-out, Te Arawa Day: a celebration of the tribe's blessing. The Easter Monday had been a special celebration day for iwi
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| Daily Post 24 April 2001 |
The Don Stafford Rooms holds the Photo News which can be freely viewed. Microfiche of old Daily Post newspapers may be also viewed on the 2nd floor. Library staff are happy to assist.
With thanks to the Daily Post and Photo News. This blog written by Trish.
