WAIHI MEETING HOUSE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28451, 4 December 1957, Page 16

WAIHI MEETING HOUSE

Fine Larving Included “The Press 1 * Special Service AUCKLAND, December 3. Proof that the ancient Maori art of woodcarving is far from lost is provided by one of the most solidly built meeting houses in New Zealand. This is at Waihi Pa. near Tokaanu, on the southern edge of Lake Taupo. A magnificently carved house has been built for the Tuwharetoa tribe and the carving—a job which lasted three years—was rhe work of a Rotorua artist, Mr J. Taiapa, of Koutu. Mr Taiapa is head of the Rotorua Arts and Crafts School. Some of his carving pupils assisted in the work.

The house was built by a Roto-, rua firm. It overlooks the lake and stands on rhe site of an earlier meeting house. The walls are of < roughcast concrete and modern lighting is used inside. It is ex-. pected to open the building at • Easter. The cost will be about £30,000. of which £5OOO will pay for toe! carving. Most of the carving was done at the arts and craft school and taken 1 in sections to Waihi. With his brother, Mr Taiapa has had a hand in the carving work for 34 meeting houses. He qualified in his craft at the school of which he is now head. No fewer than 56 pupils who have passed through I his hands are carving in various i parts of the country. i Mr Taiapa was responsible for j some of the carving work on the i front of Tamatekapua. rhe well I known meeting house at OhineImutu. At present he is working ion & church at Masterton.