jan 11, 1903 - Waipapa hostel rebuilt
Description:
The notion of Waipapa as a Māori space was reinforced in 1903, when the old building was
finally demolished and rebuilt. The new and larger brick building mirrored the previous
hostelry’s U-shape plan, with the structure being sited around a central quadrangle. This time, the architects more fully considered Māori living arrangements. As Warren explained, the
building had several large rooms “where the Natives belonging to different tribes can live
together and cook for themselves.” There were also smaller rooms where women with children
could stay. Further, “ample verandahs are provided under which the Natives can squat
protected from the heat in summer, and the rain in winter.” Lockers and shelving for food
storage were also supplied, and an ablution block with Water Closets (WCs) was built outside. Warren had assumed Thorpe would continue as the custodian, but the Native Minister James Carrol insisted a Māori should take up the position, with Retimana Poraumati of the Native Land Court and his wife being appointed. Having learnt some lessons from the Billy Matthews episode, Poroumati was instructed to keep the place clean, allow no intoxicants, prohibit European loafers, prevent damage to the building, and enforce temporary stays. There were a few teething issues, from smoking chimneys to damage to the WC’s—Warren said visitors were reluctant to use them—but these were sorted and a regular maintenance regime instituted. In 1908, he reported several thousand Māori were using the hostelry each year, with up to 70
to 100 visitors staying at one time.
Source: https://ojs.victoria.ac.nz/jnzs/article/download/4100/3630/
Added to timeline:
A chronology of Māori housing in Tāmaki Makaurau - Key events
This timeline charts the changing institutional framework an...
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