After 75 years the paintings in the porch are battered by the weather, but they have otherwise survived unchanged. The Painted House at Patutahi by Margaret Orbell The meeting-house in which these photographs were taken stands at Repongaere, near Patutahi in the Gisborne district. The house is known to some people as Rongopai, and to others as Eriopeta. It was formerly tapu, but recently, in a ceremony conducted by the Ringatu Church, the tapu was lifted. Because of this it is now possible for the first time to photograph the building. In 1888, when Te Kooti announced his intention of visiting the district, his followers hastily erected this house to accommodate him and his retinue. The work was carried out by the young men of the tribe (Whanau a Kai). But when the elders entered the house at its opening, they were profoundly shocked to see how far the young men, in decorating it, had departed from the traditional designs. Many of the paintings in the house had no relevance to tribal matters; there were strange animals, and stylized foliage, and little scenes showing such incidents as a boxing match, a man hunting with his dogs, and a horse race. What may well have upset the elders still more,