Book reviews - celebrating Rotorua's history

This week we review some gems in our collection, which celebrate Rotorua's history and people.

100 years of Rotorua / by Ian Rockel

This book was published in 1979 by then Rotorua Museum director Ian Rockel, ahead of the 1980 Rotorua Centenary.

Rockel divides the book into sections looking at various aspects of Rotorua's history including growth, tourism, industry, forestry, people, construction, transport, government, farming, church, and the district's founding settlers.

The book also features over 150 photographs illustrating the history of Rotorua's first 100 years.

This book can be found on the 1st Floor,
NZ History / Travel and 2nd Floor Rotorua Heritage at 993.423Z ONE

This book review was written by Graeme


The Parish of Rotorua, 1889-1989: 100 years by St Luke's Church, Rotorua

This book was published to celebrate 100 years of St Luke's Anglican Church in Rotorua. The cover shows the original St Luke's (circa. 1905) and the replacement St Luke's which opened in 1975.

Beginning with  a brief history of early missionaries in Rotorua, the book then contains snapshots of events and meeting minutes, celebrating the years. Photographs illustrate throughout.

Features of the "new" church are described, along with a list of the vicars who had served over the 100 years.

The book concludes with a look to the future, and the centennial programme for the for the week long celebrations.

This book can be found on the 2nd Floor, in the Don Stafford Room
 in the Rotorua Heritage Collection at 289.93 PAR

This book review was written by Trish

City of Rotorua Museum and Arts Centre / published by Rotorua City Council c.1969?

This booklet was published to showcase the new museum which opened officially on the 1^st November 1969.

Their aims for this museum were ‘to reflect the background and perhaps foretell the future of this vibrant district’

‘It has been established and is supported entirely by the Rotorua City Council in the belief that such an institution is a pre-requisite to the cultural maturity of a growing city’

The booklet shows the grandeur of the Bath House in black & white photographs and describes the very first exhibitions.  At this time the Art Gallery was in a small corner of the museum and was managed by the Rotorua Society of Arts.

Don Stafford, here pictured as curator of the Museum : With thanks to the Daily Post
for this article published in 'Picture Post' July 1969 pg. 15

The Government Gardens / Philip Andrews c2005

This colourful and informative book was written by local historian Mr Phil Andrews. His introduction sets the scene with this description of the land before it became the Government Gardens that we know and love today.  It was described as “dreary, swampy, scrubby place… a howling wilderness”

The Fenton Agreement which was signed in 1880 was debated and negotiated between the Te Komiti Nui o Rotorua (The Great Committee) and Judge Fenton on behalf of the government of the day. 

Phil gives us a readable history of each of the many features and buildings of the gardens and throughout this book there are photographs of what it once was and how it was in c2005 as photographed mostly by John Wheadon. 

The older photographs and postcards were supplied from various sources as noted with each image.  Phil includes aerial photographs which show the location of each historical feature in the gardens and also the wider Sanatorium Reserve Sites.

A number of the features, buildings and memorials have been restored to their original pristine state, with the Bath House still awaiting earthquake strengthening and upgrade of the buildings most historic features. 

Photo by Alison Leigh 2013

These book reviews written by Alison

The Pride of a Century: the Daily Post centennial issue, August 28, 1980

Stories are amazing and can instil in the listener or reader a sense of tradition and history. For this writer, my imagination was stimulated. I was able to see through the lens of story-telling the pride that local people have in their place, their town, their city. The issue is more the development of a township with its history of tourism and unique thermal attractions. The stories reflect a sense of pride in the people and events that shaped this place, Rotorua. Some highlights include a historical timeline spanning 630 years from the discoveries of Ihenga to the amalgamated local government body, The Rotorua District Council. One of my favourites I have to stay are the stories of the development of transport from the horse drawn to horse powered. There was one advertisement that brought back memories of the 80s and the 'big hair' fashion trend. Thank you to the "Hair Shop and Rodneys Hairdressing Salons".

Features of the issue:

• Thermal nurseries - garden centre
• Two Miss New Zealand's - Maureen Waaka 1962, Linda Ritchie 1971
• The creation of the township of Rotorua and local government
• Memories of how the town has changed through the eyese of local people
• Notable people in Rotorua's history: Rotohiko Haupapa, Guide Rangi, Roger Dansey
• Advertisements such as, "Aunt Janet's Prize Baking Flour"
• The land wars
• The growth at Ohinemutu
• Introducing electricity
• Congratulations from local businesses
• Te Arawa Maori Trust Board created as a result of the Tamihana Korokai vs The Solicitor General case
• Sports
• One of Rotorua's oldest drapery firms, The Gardner Group
• Tourism - unique thermal attractions i.e. pink & white terraces, thermal pools, geysers
• Mokoia Island history
• Whakarewarewa
• Transport
• The eruption
• The world wars
• Services - police
• My favourite - The Hair Shop and Rodneys Hairdressing Salons

Advertisement, The Hair Shop and Rodneys

This centennial issue of The Daily Post can be found in
 the Don Stafford Room at 993.423Z PRI OVERSIZE

The book review was written by Ani

The Gardeners Cottage

Known simply as the Gardener’s Cottage, this heritage building is located in one of the most beautiful gardens in New Zealand, the Rotorua Government Gardens. This late Victorian villa was built in 1898 with two bedrooms and a lounge. Today the cottage has three bedrooms.

Front of the cottage 2019
Photograph by Ani Sharland

The cottage was originally intended as the head gardener’s house. However, the cottage has had many residents other than the head gardener. The list includes, employees of the bath house, a head attendant and a masseur, Mr J. Redward. Pat Johnston also lived in the cottage for 16 years and at that time the cottage had three bedrooms. Pat recalls people sitting on the front porch eating lunch, weddings take place in the front garden and watching marathons and the annual Anzac parade. Often gardeners who cared for the gardens dropped in and had a coffee with her.

Side view of the cottage from the carpark 2019
Photograph by Ani Sharland

The gardens of the cottage provided produce for the Te Runanga tea kiosk, the sanatorium and Waimangu House. 

The rear garden 2019
Photograph by Ani Sharland

The front garden was added in 2000 with cobblestone areas, a fountain and paved pathways.

The front garden 2019
Photograph by Ani Sharland

The cottage was the only building in the present Government Garden area until the 1900’s when a later series of developments followed. The cottage is the oldest surviving building in the government gardens. Upgrades over the years have included new interior and exterior paint and fixing the scullery roof.

Architectural feature 2019
Photograph by Ani Sharland

This post was written by Ani Sharland with thanks to Philip Andrews book, "The Government Gardens" and articles from the Daily Post.

Kaitao Intermediate - 50 Years

This morning Kaitao Intermediate will be celebrating its 50th birthday.

Kaitao Intermediate opened in February 1969. The Government had decided that a third intermediate school was needed in Rotorua. The school cost $282,000 and at the time had 15 classrooms and 22 teaching staff.

Kaitao Intermediate students on their first day of school. Source: Daily Post, Tuesday 4 February 1969, p. 1.

Sunset Intermediate principal Mr. Graves took up the position as the new school's principal. He invited Sunset Intermediate staff to apply for jobs. One teacher who joined him was Mirth Solomon, who retired in 2004 as the school celebrated its 35th anniversary. At her retirement Solomon had been the deputy principal for 15 years.

Kaitao Intermediate did not have its official opening until eight months later on Monday 3rd November. The opening ceremony in the school's hall was attended by parents, guests and the 600 students.

Rotorua M.P. Mr. H. R. Lapwood officially opened the school. Other guests included Mayor, A. M. Linton and Mrs Linton, the chairman of the South Auckland Education Board Mr. L. A Lorrigan, and Chairman of the Arawa Trust Board Mr. M. Bennett.

At the opening ceremony head girl Davina Davy spoke and head boy Mervyn Robb unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening.

Rotorua Photo News, 22 November 1969, p. 57.

The school had a special event with invited guests a few months prior when it celebrated its first Arbor Day.

The Mayor attended alongside senior forester Mr. G. Leggat, and other members of the school committee, P.T.A. and South Auckland Education Board.

 Mervin Robb and  Davina Davey place a tree in position.
 Source Rotorua Photo News, 30 August 1969, p. 42.

This blog post was written by Graeme. With thanks to the Don Stafford collection, Rotorua Daily Post, and Rotorua Photo News.

Happy 50th Birthday to the Rotorua Museum

Fifty Years in the Bath House 

The building : a few facts

• Bath House designed by Arthur S Wohlmann. Inspector of Works Mr. B.S. Corlett., J.W. Wrigley (Rotorua Architect) and W.J. Trigg (Draughtsman) were responsible for the plans c.1903

• Building commenced January 1906; Official opening 13 August 1908 by Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward. The extra wings originally on the plan were not added at this time.

• In 1912 the first south wing extension is opened.

Photo taken by Alison Leigh 2013.

• The building was not kept in its original state due to lack of funding and eventually by the late 1940s the ‘Bath House’ was in a very bad state and the local Borough Council lobbied the Department of Health to do something about it. BAY OF PLENTY BEACON, VOLUME 12, ISSUE 98, 22 SEPTEMBER 1948 click this link to see what was being said.

From : Rotorua Photo News, 6 June 1964, p.2

• Health Department handover to Rotorua City Council would eventually include 2.5 acres to build the Sportsdrome on and a sum of £60,000 to be spread over 3 years from 1963.
• In 1964 the Sportsdrome was built and connected to the Bath House via an elevated walkway.

The Museum

• The City Engineer reports that the south wing is structurally sound and suitable for a Museum.
• https://www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz/visit-us/taking-the-cure/a-brief-chronology/
• The name “Tudor Towers” is adopted for the building. c.1964 

• In April 1967 Council approved the plan to convert the South Wing into a Museum.
• Mostyn Thompson was invited to be the Museum’s establishing curator/preparator with Don Stafford appointed permanently to that position September 1968. The Museum was officially opened 1st November 1969. A mezzanine floor was introduced a this time and is where the “Colonial Display Rooms” were staged.
• Don Stafford resigns as curator and Ian Rockel is appointed as his replacement. DP 14^th July 1970. 
• Named “City of Rotorua Museum & Arts Centre” 1970 
• New Art Gallery opens in the north wing October 1977. 
• Renamed “The Rotorua Museum & Art Gallery” 1979. 


• In 1980 the recreated basement mud bath was closed due to vandalism. 
• An extension of the ‘Tudor Towers’ building is approved in 1981.  DP 27^th May 1981. 
• In 1982 the ‘South Centennial Wing’ is recommended. After many alterations and replacements later the exterior extension was completed 1983. Official opening/naming DP 23 May 1983. 
• The name ‘Tudor Towers’ to be dropped in favour of “The Bath House Art & History Museum” DP 21 June 1983. 
• The Centennial Wing is redesigned and named the Te Arawa Wing. DP 29 May 1987. 


• The Tudor Towers lease expires 2 Sept 1990, this presented an opportunity to redevelop the Bath House. 
• In 1992 ‘The legacy of Houmaitawhiti’ exhibition is opened. 
• In 1993 a Conservation Plan for the Bath House is commissioned. 
• In 1994  a new name is adopted “The Rotorua Art & History Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa”


• In 2006 The Centennial Project Stage I is completed with the reopening of the viewing platform.
• In 2008 The Centennial Project Stage II is completed with the north wing extension opened.
• In Sept 2011 The Centennial Project Stage III is completed and named the Don Stafford Wing. DP 3 Sept 2011.

• ‘Rotorua Museum to remain closed following detailed assessment’ DP 7 July 2017
• “A comprehensive assessment of Rotorua Museum has shown it falls well below earthquake safety standards and will need to remain closed for the foreseeable future.
• The good news is that it can be fixed. How that happens, how long it will take and how much it will cost now needs to be determined.”


The Future :



Proposed structural strengthening  : Rotorua Museum website image

Sources

1. ‘Bath House, Rotorua: conservation plan’ by Works Consultancy Services Ltd. c.1993
2. www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz
3. 'Taking the waters: early spas in NZ' / Ian Rockel c.1986
4. 'Rotorua Museum: Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa: Strengthening, restoration and redevelopment'
5. 'Rotorua Daily Post' 

This Blog post is by Alison.

St Luke's Anglican Church celebrates 130 years in Rotorua

St Luke's Anglican Church today.
Postcard supplied by Rev. Alex Czerwonka

Rev. F.H. Spencer, son of Rev Seymour Mills Spencer the missionary stationed at Lake Tarawera, was appointed vicar for the parish of Rotorua in 1889. (St Faith's church at Ohinemutu had been built in 1885 owing to the efforts of local Maori.) From 1892 weekly services for local Europeans and tourists appear to have been held at the Sanatorium, as road conditions to St Faith's were often unpassable. 

It was not until 1881 that the township of Rotorua was established, separate to the village of Ohinemutu. By May 1896, the vestry felt it was the right time to take steps to building St Luke's. It was reported in the Hot Lakes Chronicle of 9 September 1896 that the building fund for the new English (Anglican) church was slowly growing. Advertisements appeared in the paper advising that a "Grand Concert" , with an admission fee of 2 shillings and 1 shilling, would be held at Pukeroa Hall in aid of the building fund.

Hot Lakes Chronicle 16 September 1896

The newspaper of 23 September 1896 contained a full account of the evening, declaring it a "decided success....."

In July 1897 land in Haupapa Street was offered for auction by the Crown and the vestry secured this for an annual rental of 8 pounds on a 99-year lease. Unfortunately there is no record of the cost to build the wooden church.

St Luke's Anglican Church, about 1905, from The Parish of Rotorua, 1889-1989 

On Sunday 5 November 1899, the new church, St Luke's was consecrated by Bishop W.L. Williams of Waiapu, who also preached at both the morning and evening services. Two days later the first confirmation service was held. (Rev S. Ingle was now vicar)

In 1901 Rev H.C. Blackburne became vicar, replaced by Rev C.A. Tisdall in 1904.

By 1902 the chancel had been added to the eastern end of the building, and between 1902 and 1906 the belfry and parish hall had been completed. By 1909, a vicarage had been erected as well on the corner of Amohia & Hinemoa Streets. Six vicars and their families were to reside here over the next six decades.

The vicarage, 1969 from The Parish of Rotorua 1889-1989

According to the Bay of Plenty Times, Bishop Sedgwick inducted Rev K. McLean as vicar on 29 October 1914. Ten years later, in July 1924 the first ordination of a priest took place, and  Bishop Sedgwick of Waiapu inducted Rev W.S.G. Cameron.

By 1933 the decision was made that the church really did need to be enlarged. So plans were drawn up to cut the church in half, move one half 20 ft to the west, thus adding 20 ft to the size of the church. On 19 November, 1933 Bishop H.W. Williams consecrated the new enlarged church, which incidentally opened free of debt!

From The Anglican Church in the Hot Lakes District by R.G.Webb

11 Nov 1938  a new pipe organ was installed in the church at a cost of 485 pounds. At Evensong the organ was dedicated.

Rotorua Morning Post, Saturday 12 November 1938 

In 1946 a new free-standing belfry was built to accommodate the new 600 lb bell, bought to replace the small one atop the church which had been in use for over 40 years.

From The Anglican Church in the Hot Lakes District by R.G. Webb

Reports from a church meeting on 7 June 1956 list the concerns and thinking about planning for a new church building:

• present church becoming too small. 
• within 10 years will have reached end of effective life
• in 10 years vicarage need demolishing
• make use of vicarage site?
• make church out of permanent materials
• add community centre with youth hall

On Friday 27 September 1957 the amount raised for the new building through a campaign for pledges was reported in the Daily Post.  

Daily Post Friday 27 September 1957, p 6

Over the next few years discussions were held as to where the new church should be built. Initially it was intended that the vicarage be demolished and a new church centre be built on that site.

In 1968 the Church and land in Haupapa Street was sold to the Rotorua City Council although the congregation continued meeting there till 1973. The decision was made that the new church centre would be built on the corner of Amohia and Pukuatua Streets. This new centre would be made of permanent materials, incorporating a place for worship along with space for counselling, and office, kitchen and youth areas.

Rev J. Greenway standing near the church altar the day before
 the church is closed. Daily Post Saturday 10 November 1973

On the 11 November 1973, St Luke's, Haupapa Street closed officially during the morning service. After everyone had filed out, the Bishop boarded up the door, deconsecrating the church.

The congregation then formed a procession, filing up Ranolf Street to Malfroy Road where the service was completed in All Saints' Church Hall. This became the congregations' home till the new church and centre opened on 11 October 1975, being opened and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Paul Reeves, Bishop of Waiapu.

Daily Post Monday 12 November 1973, p 1

As well as the main auditorium, a side chapel sanctuary was built.Two stained glass windows from the old St Luke's were installed here, both dedicated to the memory of parishioners.

Stain glass window dedicated to memory of 

Beatrice Betty Bertram. 

Photo by Trish Brown

Window dedicated to memory of Flight Sgt 

Aubrey Lewis & Edward Campbell Lewis.

Photo by Trish Brown

The Side Chapel Sanctuary. Photo by Trish Brown

 A new rough sawn unadorned Redwood cross was installed in the church, along with a plain, unadorned altar.

The interior of the church today. Photo by Trish Brown

In 1979 a new pipe organ was installed. This is used weekly for services and has been the centre of many musical recitals and events at St Luke's over the years.

It was decided in 1987 to extend the church again. This extension was consecrated on Sunday 22 February, 1988 by Bishop Peter Atkins, Bishop of Waiapu.

Today, St Luke's offers two services on a Sunday morning, a Wednesday morning Communion service and Messy Church, once a month on a Sunday afternoon which caters especially for families. A healing service is held monthly.

The weekend of 26 & 27 October 2019, St Luke's held a celebration dinner on the Saturday night and services on the Sunday, with Tony Gerritsen, present Principal of St John's Theological College who was Vicar  at St Luke's from 1992-1994, as the guest speaker.

Vicars  and priests who've served at St Lukes: Rev. Tony Gerritsen, 1992-1994, 

Rev. Dorothy Brooker, 1995-2004, Rev. Jenny Chalmers 2004-2007,
Rev. Christine Scott, 2006/2007, Rev.  Alex Czerwonka, 2007- present day
 with the 130th birthday cake. Photo by Trish Brown

This blog was written by Trish using newspapers and books from the DSR collections. With thanks to Daily Post and Rev Alex Czerwonka, Vicar of St Luke's, Rotorua.