Mr Henare Tuwhangai thanks the local people on behalf of Tuheita, son of Queen Te Atairangikaahu, for their gift of a cake modelled after the Rapaki church and the work was carried out by Taawao and Hohepa. In 1865, the Rev. Te Kooti Rato, an ordained minister, was appointed to reside at Rapaki, and take over the work of the Maori Department of the Wesleyan Church in Canterbury and Otago. ‘Following his appointment, the people of Rapaki decided to build a church, and this was completed at a cost of £159, and opened on 4 May, 1869. Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist ministers together conducted the service, and hymns were sung in both Maori and English by the large congregation, inside and outside the church. Visitors were then invited to a tent and regaled with an abundant supply of refreshments.’ Those who attended the centennial celebrations will realise how closely this opening service was repeated 100 years later, together with the refreshments, and thank the people of Rapaki for their hospitality. Opening the hangi on Sunday