Waiapu

Tolaga Bay

This description of the Tolaga Bay parochial district, later parish, is the story of the pakeha church, as Māori Mission was organised separately at the dates covered. Formed as a parochial district in 1906, as there were few Europeans on the coast. St Andrews Church Tolaga Bay was dedicated in 1913 and was the first European church on the coast.  Around 1939 St Mary’s Church Hall was opened at Wharekaka.

Later, c 1950’s there were places of worship at Wigan (Takapu) and Mihiwhetu, where schoolrooms were used, and Whangara hall.  The Maori church at Whangara was also used for Holy Communion services.

While there will be some Māori family records in these registers, they are mostly pakeha.

Baptism registers for 1919 to 1963 have been digitised; others are held by the Diocese of Waiapu Archives.  It is not known what happened to registers prior to 1919: it is possible that they were stored in the Waiapu Diocesan Office and lost in the 1931 Napier earthquake.

Waipawa

The parish of Waipawa began to form in the 1850’s, first being known as Abbotsford. A Church was built in 1861.  Services were conducted by the Vicar of Waipukurau from 1859 util the appointment of a clergy person to Waipawa in 1875.

The parish was extensive, with the southern boundary being the Waipawa River, and extending north to Paki Paki.  It included Christ Church Pukehou, and other later churches – St James Church Otane (earlier known as Kaikorai) January 1894, St Albans Church Tamumu November 1899, St Stephens’s Church Elsthorpe June 1909.

Baptism registers exist from 1918 and are digitised 1918 to 1950.  Later registers are held by the Diocese of Waiapu.  It is not known what happened to registers prior to 1918: it is possible that they were stored in the Waiapu Diocesan Office and lost in the 1931 Napier earthquake.

Havelock North

The first church was built in 1874, although earlier services were held in a private home.  In November 1866 there was a clergy appointment to the Ahiriri Plains, and it is assumed that this person would likely have taken services in Havelock North also.

A clergy person was appointed to Clive, Havelock North, Meeanee and Puketapu from  1872. St Like’s Church was built in 1873 and consecrated 1874.  Services in this parish were also held at Waimarama  - the Church of St John which belonged to the Waipatu-Moteo Maori Pastorate, and at Haumoana in a church hall.

Baptismal registers exist from 1919 and are digitised to 1950. Later registers are held by the Diocese of Waiapu.   It is not known what happened to registers prior to 1919: it is possible that they were stored in the Waiapu Diocesan Office and lost in the 1931 Napier earthquake.

Puketapu

Puketapu was originally a parochial district with the first Vicar installed in 1913.  Prior to this date, Puketapu was a part of the parish of Taradale, with the Church of St Michael and All Angels consecrated in October 2010.  Within the same district was St George’s Chapel, a memorial chapel commemorating HN Coleman killed in France in 1918.

Baptism registers are from 1915 and are digitised to 1961. Later registers are held by the Diocese of Waiapu.  It is not known what happened to registers prior to 1915: it is possible that they were stored in the Waiapu Diocesan Office and lost in the 1931 Napier earthquake

Ormondville

Ormondville was a parochial district, formed out of the Dannevirke and Waipukurau Parishes in 1884. The Church of the Epiphany was consecrated in 1884.  There was also a church at Makotuku, Our Blessed Saviour, built in 1890.

In 1944, Ormondville ceased to be a separate parochial district, with a major part of it being added to Takapau Parochial District, and the Matamau district to the Dannevirke parish.

Baptism registers have been digitised 1919 to 1961. Later registers are held by the Diocese of Waiapu.  It is not known what happened to registers prior to 1919: it is possible that they were stored in the Waiapu Diocesan Office and lost in the 1931 Napier earthquake

Whakatane

Whakatane Parochial District was a part of the Opotiki Parochial District until 1910, although ti had a resident clergy person from 1892. St George the Martyr Church was completed in November 1892. St Augustine’s Church Matat was built 1916 and consecrated 1918.  In 1917 St Matthew’s Church was built at Taneatua, and All saints Church at Edgecumbe, which was divided from Whakatane in 1956.

Baptism registers are digitised from 1919 to 1942. Later registers are held by the Diocese of Waiapu.  It is not known what happened to registers prior to 1919: it is possible that they were stored in the Waiapu Diocesan Office and lost in the 1931 Napier earthquake

Waikohu  formerly Te Karaka

Te Karaka was originally a part of the Waerenga-a-hika Parochial District in 1908, and included Te karaka, matawai and Motu.  Regular services begfan in 908, and the Church of St John the Evangeist was dedicated January 1909.

Matawai (with Motu), became separate from 1914 to 1928, then merging again with Te Karaka. The Church of St Mary at Matawai was built about 1916, and St aul’s Motu about 1923.

In 1958, Te Karaka was renamed Waikohu.

Te Karaka baptism registers have been digitised 1919 to 1950. Later registers are held by the Diocese of Waiapu.  It is not known what happened to registers prior to 1919: it is possible that they were stored in the Waiapu Diocesan Office and lost in the 1931 Napier earthquake

Takapau

The Takapu Parochial District was formed in 1913, from the Waipukurau Parish. The Church of St Mark was built 1914.

Baptism registers have been digitised 1919 to 1963. Later registers are held by the Diocese of Waiapu.  It is not known what happened to registers prior to 1919: it is possible that they were stored in the Waiapu Diocesan Office and lost in the 1931 Napier earthquake

Wairoa

The beginning of church services in Wairoa notes a clergy appointment in 1875, although there was a mission station from about 1845, and a military settlement in 1866. St Paul’s Church was consecrated 1879.  There is no record of any formalising of parish or parochial district.  Christ Church Frasertown opened in 1893 and there were services held at Mohaka.  The Frasertown Parochial District was formed briefly 1913 to 1920.

Baptism registers have been digitised for 1919 to 1939. Later volumes to 1957 are held by the Diocese of Waiapu. It is not known what happened to registers prior to 1918: it is possible that they were stored in the Waiapu Diocesan Office and lost in the 1931 Napier earthquake