DescriptionKerikeri Stone Store, 1970 (26737740266).jpg |
On 9 May 1832 the foundation stone of New Zealand’s oldest stone building, the Kerikeri Stone Store, was laid. Modelled on the missionary Samuel Marsden’s establishment at Parramatta, Sydney and built from sandstone, local volcanic rocks and burnt shell mortar, it was completed in 1836 and became the storehouse of the Church Missionary Society mission station. The station itself was founded in 1819 with the permission of a number of powerful rangatira of the day, including Hongi Hika and Rewa.
Since then it has been used as a trading post, a library, a military barracks during the Northern War, a kauri gum store, a temporary boxing rink, a boys’ school, and a polling booth. Today the General Store offers an amazing range of authentic trade goods similar those first traded in the early 19th century.
This photograph, taken by W. Neill in January 1970, comes from the collection of National Publicity Studios. It shows the Stone Store, the mission gardens behind it (which includes one of New Zealand’s oldest fruit trees, a pear tree planted in October 1819), and the small waterfall nearby.
Archives Reference: AAQT 6539 Box 102/ A92907
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