JANET FRASER MEMORIAL GUEST HOUSE

Image of Janet Fraser Guest House 2023. and image of membership badge supplied courtesy of Te Rōpū o Te Ora - Women's Health League 

Kia hiwa rā! Kia hiwa rā!

Be on the alert to prepare for any danger that may threaten the welfare of the people through illness, disease or neglect.

Janet Fraser Memorial Guest House today sits quietly on the west flank of Pukeroa Hill. Cars speed past without a glance at the large brick house, or knowledge of the epic story of its creation.

 In the 1930s health was at low ebb for many Māori whānau, particularly in the outlying districts. There was no welcoming place for families to stay when whanau were in hospital.

But racism colours this story. Whānau were not welcome (or able to afford) to stay at hotels or boarding houses around the town during this era.

So, Nurse Robina Cameron, initiator of the Te Rōpū o te Ora (Women's Health League), and with the backing on Te Arawa leaders, rallied members. They saw that the creation of a guest house was an answer to this pressing issue.In order to retain autonomy, they decided it was essential to raise the bulk of the funds themselves. 

Image of Robina Thomson Cameron courtesy of Whakatāne Museum and Arts (1892-1971)

 

What followed were ten years of dedicated fundraising. The Government was approached to subsidise the build, and aid was provided by Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa Trust Board and Tūwharetoa Trust Board as well as the generous donation from a land sale from Raharuhi Puriri (OBE) and his wife Ngahuia Puriri that was used for the building[1].  

But it was the years of commitment and hard graft by the members of the Women’s Health League that enabled the majority of the funds to be acquired.

    

Images of Honors Wall dedication inside the Janet Fraser Guest House supplied by Women's Health League

The fifteen Women’s Health League branches around the Lakes put in sterling efforts: Ōhinemutu, Whakarewarewa, Ngapuna, Hinemoa Point, Mourea, Taheke, Rotoiti, Rotoma, Otara marae, Awahau, Reporoa, and Horohoro I and Horohoro 2 committed themselves to the huge task. In the recollections of the time the stories are the same: hard-working and generous commitment to the building of the guest house.

Image: August 28 1948. Opening of the Janet Fraser Memorial Guesthouse. (From left) Te Puhi-o-Rākairoa Royal, Wena Whata, Tawhito Whata, Mrs Curtis, Ka Heke, Te Mauri Ransfield, (unknown), Mrs Retimana. (Back left) Mrs Kameta. Credit: Women’s Health League

Finally, it was ready to be opened. On 30^th August 1948 the Janet Fraser Memorial Guest House was officially opened by Rt Hon Peter Fraser – the house named after and dedicated to his late wife Janet.

Barry Bonnington who was a child at the time remembered the opening day:

“It was a big deal, the haka and the waiata and my mum (Tirita Butt), all the aunties dressed in their finery, fur coats everywhere. For us kids from the Pa, it was exciting to watch and the kai was memorable”.

To see footage from the opening of the Janet Fraser Guest house please search the link: https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/weekly-review-368-1948

                           

H.R Vercoe (left) and Maika at opening of Jaanet Fraser Hostel. 28 August 1948. Credit to Womens Health League, Photographer unknown. Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (CP-117)

Image courtesy of National Library Crown Studios Wellington 1923 PAColl-6304-51

Born in Glasgow, Janet Fraser met Peter Fraser in 1911 and worked with him to combat the influenza epidemic of 1918. In 1919 they married and he went on to become Prime Minister from 1940 – 1949. Janet advocated strongly for child health and welfare and supported Nurse Cameron in the establishment of the hostel for Māori whanau. She died in 1945.

It took a community to build the Janet Fraser Memorial Guest House; the bricks and mortar are imbued with the hard work of the Women’s Health League.

 

 Janet Fraser Guest House images. Date unknown. Photographer John Scott. Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (2019.42.137). Janet Fraser Guest House, interior. Date unknown. Photographer John Scott. Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa (2019.42.137)

 Through the years the management of the house was undertaken by members. Hera Rogers was the first and others included Maxine Rennie (nee Te Kowhai), Pinenga Phillips and her husband Peter Nathan, Helen Cowell (nee Hayward) and Rona Larsen[2].

Today, the house is no longer managed by the Women’s Health League. Nevertheless, the initial intention of this quiet landmark remains steadfast: a place of refuge and service for our community.

Reference

[1] See Morrison, L. (2012). Women’s Health League – Memories 1937-2012, (p.8). Mahi Atu Cultural Trust Inc.

[2]See Morrison, L. (2012). Women’s Health League – Memories 1937 – 2012, (p.9, 18 & 19). Mahi Atu Cultural Trust Inc. Rotorua.