Photo credit: Eruera Walker’s Facebook page
St Mary’s Memorial Church in Tikitiki celebrated a centenary of worship this month with a service attended by the communities throughout the Waiapu Valley.
The aftermath of wild weather saw organisers postpone the larger official celebrations until a yet to be confirmed date later this year. However, the locals in Tikitiki and surrounding communities felt it important to still mark the occasion with a smaller karakia service on Monday 16 February 2026.
More adverse weather during the weekend prior meant a final decision remained up in the air until the 11th hour. Archbishop Don Tamihere made his decision to traverse State Highway 35 in the early hours of Monday morning.
Archbishop Don told Taioro News, a fledgling Māori news service across the Tairāwhiti and Hawkes Bay, it was important to honour the iconic church.
“He mea tika i te tuatahi, kia whakanuia te rautau o tēnei whare karakia nui o Ngāti Porou, tēnei whare karakia ataahua rawa atu.”
(It is absolutely important that we honour the centenary of this ‘cathedral’ of Ngāti Porou, this beautiful church).
The karakia service drew rangatira from across the rohe, including Tā Herewini Parata, and was presided over by the Reverend Pane Kawhia alongside the Reverend Harata Bennett. Archbishop Don spoke to the history of the whare karakia in his kauwhau, including how the pulpit was carved by Te Arawa.
Tauira from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tapere-Nui-A-Whatonga and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waiu o Ngāti Porou joined the celebration, lifting waiata tautoko through the pōwhiri following the karakia service, and again at the hakari. Following the pōwhiri, Tā Herewini entertained guests with his top 40 waiata to fiil time until the hākari was ready.
Archbishop Don, Matanuku Mahuika, and Rev. Harata cut a small cake to mark a century of faithful worship.
The church was opened on February 16, 1926, by a party of dignitaries including the Prime Minister and Governor-General of the time. St Mary’s was designed and built under the supervision of Sir Apirana Ngata in memory of Ngāti Porou men who served in World War I. Its foundation stone was laid on ANZAC Day, 1924.
Rev. Harata Bennett, a Priest at St Mary’s also told Taioro News, many generations of worshippers and descendants have diligently looked after the heritage listed building.
“I think Tā Apirana would be proud,” she said.
Archbishop Don sees St Mary’s Tikitiki as weaving together the beauty of the gospel, its origin story within the Waiapu valley and Ngāti Porou as well as a preservation of traditional Ngāti Porou history.
“He nui ngā kōrero kua puta nō tēnei whare karakia mō te whakapono, ngā reanga, ngā whakatipuranga maha i koropiko ai i ia Rātapu ki konei.”
(There are many stories about the Gospel that have emerged from here, not to mention many generations of worshippers who continue to bow and pray here every Sunday.)
It is hoped a larger celebration will be held later this year in which neighbouring pāriha from across Tairāwhiti, other iwi (including Waikato who donated carved altar rails and Te Arawa who presented the carved pulpit), and dignitaries can honour the famous ‘cathedral of Ngāti Porou’.
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