HIGH-PERCHED HUKARERE

Te Ao Hou, Summer 1953, Page 32

HIGH-PERCHED HUKARERE a chapel made by many hands Tukutuku work at Hukarere chapel ONE OF NEW ZEALAND'S FINEST CHAPELS was consecrated at Napier on November 1. It was the chapel of Hukarere Girls' College, an institution whose outstanding and inspiring influence on Maori home life over the last three generations has become justly famous. Decorated by the finest carving, panelling and scroll-work, the building has little in New Zealand church architecture to equal it. It is fitting that it should have been erected here, to develop and inspire Hukarere's pupils during a very impressionable period in their lives, as these girls will have so great a part to play in the Maori world of tomorrow. The guiding spirit of the chapel's design was the late Sir Apirana Ngata. He, so it is said, made the first sketch for it on the back of an envelope, after pacing out the distances on the site. Sir Apirana plauned the chapel with a pakeha exterior and a Maori interior. The exterior is simple and sedate, and resembles the average chapel. The inside shows the finest and richest work of which Maori artists and craftsmen are capable. Dedicated by Bishop Lesser, of Waiapu, to St. Michael and the Angels, the chapel is a grift from ex-pupils of the school. Funds grew over the years, until four years ago enough had accumulated to start the work. The decoration of the Chapel has been a rare opportunity for Maori craftsmen and for the schoolgirls, who spent many long hours helping Lady Ngata and Mrs R. Paenga with the tukutuku panels. Most of the carving was done in Gisborne, by John Taiapa, with the help of other East Coast men-Derek Mortis, Riki Smith and Bill Paddy. It was then sent to Napier by coastal steamer, and set up in the Chapel. But the kowhaiwhai work, for which Jack Kingi is responsible, was done when the boards were in place. Mr Kingi describes his work as a ‘modern modification’ of traditional designs. The various tribes to which the girls belong are represented in the designs of the kowhaiwhai and in the tukutuku panels. The kowhaiwhai design on the centre ridge board was taken from the meeting-house at Waiomatatini in honour of Sir Apirana Ngata, and part of the kowhaiwhai in the sanctuary is in memory of Bishop Bennett. A fund has been started to set a stained-glass window in the west wall, as a memorial to these men, who were such good friends to Hukarere.

This beautiful chapel is the work of many hands. The art work has been made possible by the generosity of various Maori groups, and a Government subdidy: most of the money for the furnishings came from the Te Aute Trust Board; and several generations of Hukarere girls have raised the money for the building itself. Some weeks ago, just before the dedication ceremony, I took an opportunity of visiting the school, to see how it is faring, and to meet the girls. High-perched Hukarere has a magnificent view of Napier and the blue, surrounding bays. Looking from the front like a very large private Action Song The chapel

1 The outside of the chapel (front) is austere and does not suggest the richness of the interior. The school building is in the background. 2 Sewing class—Standing: Nellie Karkeek, and sitting, from left to right: Amiria Tearoatua, Whaterau Baker, Ani August, and Nina Lambert. 4 From left to right: Elizabeth Chase, Annie Wallace (upside down), Eleanor Pairama, Hinga Nepia. 5 Girls singing, from left to right: Horowai Ngarimu (Head Prefect), Tilly Mocke, Sue Keelan and Waitai Ferris.

3 The dining Hall. home, complete with flower-beds and kitchen garden, the school inside is homely and informal, and quite unlike the strict institution one might expect for one hundred and twenty girls. The morning I arrived a comforting smell of fresh baking drifted out of the kitchen windows, and the sound of a sewing-machine came from somewhere over my head.