Onuku

I used all my Camino-skills to rise from my tent in the camping ground quietly yet early, and was on the road towards Onuku, with its marae and church, before 7.30am. Onuku lies about 5km from Akaroa, and it was set aside as a Maori reserve in 1856, following the confiscation of much of the land around Akaroa harbour from Maori.

This is the marae building at Onuku. As a visitor, I would have needed to be invited onto the marae to go any closer: this photo was taken from the gate.

Just past the marae, you come to this historic church, opened in 1878 as a non-denominational place of worship.

 

 This is part of a carving that stands outside on the lawn, outside the church doors.

This simple but beautifully carved altar sits inside the church, and an inscription at its base says it was presented by Sir Heaton Rhodes in 1940. On top of it sat a thank you gift from some children to the marae- a card with some shells.

The windows of the church gave views to the harbour outdoors.

And the morning sunlight came in through the windows to cast gentle light over the pews.

And just to finish, a more mundane theme... On the shore side of the road stood this shed- and you might have noticed I tend to take photos of some of these old buildings.

And to end this post: a close-up of the door lock.