St Matthew's Church Parapara

I had an interesting chance meeting last week. I was at work with B on the Friday when we stopped at a property that was opposite these 2 buildings. The owner of the property we were at stopped to talk with us and after asking the gentleman if it was ok to open the gate across the road and have a look he very kindly came with me and told me some very neat information about the old building on the right. (In New Zealand if there is a Maori church it's polite to check if you can enter). Named "St Matthew's Church" in Parapara on the outskirts of Taipa, apparently it use to be the original church here, in use from 1880 until 1980 and he was baptised there as a baby. I'm guessing the church on the left is now the one that's in use.

After promising him I wouldn't take any photos of the new burials and close ups of the graves he told me that this bell and the plaque not only commemorates the reunion of the descendants of Reihana Kiriwi but that this Maori chief is one of his direct ancestors. 

Article from the "Waka Maori" - Volume 12, Issue 9 - 2 May 1876

After he opened the door to the old church he showed me inside, explained that the floors he thought were made of Kauri and that he hoped the Historic Places Trust would add the building to their list.

I was extremely grateful and thankful for his help and information.

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