Grandstanding in Taihape

WORDS: David Watt IMAGES: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Bernie Lee Photography

No-one could be more pleased than the Chief Executive of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Andrew Coleman, when the Board recently listed the Taihape Memorial Park Grandstand in the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero as a Category 2 historic Place.

Born and bred in Taihape, Andrew sings the praises of his former old hometown at every opportunity, and why not as it has a proud history of achievements, for farming, for sporting legends, for its tourism, and as a stopping off point for travellers up and down the North Island.

For Andrew, the Memorial Park Grandstand and grounds of what he knew as the ‘Rec’ were a go-to place, as for many in the community of Taihape. “The grandstand was a sporting hub with rugby, cricket and athletics using it as the base for competitions and practice. The ‘Rec’ was also the sporting home for tennis and squash and used more broadly by the local primary school, now the region’s area school, the Agricultural and Pastoral Show, now known as Gumboot Day and the town’s swimming pool,” says Andrew.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga staff were pleased to receive an application from the Taihape Heritage Trust for the Memorial Park Grandstand. The Trust has a history of working to save listed buildings in the region, such as the town’s Category 2 heritage listed Majestic Theatre, with more on the horizon.

According to Taihape Heritage Trust’s Peter Kipling-Arthur, “The Trust is working to promote the preservation of other historic sites including the iconic Town Hall and Library, and to encourage both private owners and the Rangitikei District Council to extend heritage listing and protection to key buildings in the District Plan.”

The grandstand at Taihape Memorial Park on Kokako Street, built in 1924, reflects the development of sports and recreation in Aotearoa New Zealand during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The grandstand is architecturally significant as a wellpreserved example of grandstand structures from its era and is considered an ‘icon’ to the 1800-strong population of Taihape.

Taihape is located in the heart of the Mōkai Pātea rohe which was first settled by Ngāti Hotu. The tangata whenua of Mōkai Pātea are Ngāti Tamakōpiri, Ngāi Te Ohuake, Ngāti Hauiti and

Ngāti Whitikaupeka, who all trace their whakapapa back to the son of celebrated explorer Tamatea Pōkai Whenua of the Tākitimu waka.

In the late 1860s the first Pākehā arrived to settle in the northern part of the rohe, where they took up sheep runs after negotiating private leases on land.

Taihape, originally named Hautapu after the Hautapu river, and then as Otaihape after the Otaihape stream was little more than a rough clearing in dense native bush, but by the end of 1897 extensive bush clearance had been undertaken. The ‘O' was dropped from the name and ‘Taihape’ was developing into a fledgling township. It included a large recreation reserve which became more commonly known as the ‘Oval Domain’ following improvements in the early 20th century.

A grandstand had long been proposed at the ‘Oval Domain’ and was at one stage suggested as a fitting WWI memorial for the town, but this did not come to fruition. A working bee comprising local residents and the ‘enthusiastic’ athletics club began felling bush in 1898, and the land was formally declared a recreational reserve in February 1899. The grandstand was erected in 1924 after the Taihape Borough Council sought plans and specifications as part of further ground improvements.

The Rangitīkei Agricultural and Pastoral Association was reportedly the first organised body to use the grandstand during their annual show in January 1925, with many groups and associations making use of it over the years, and it has been the venue for numerous civic events.

The grandstand has a close connection with local rugby clubs – the Taihape Rugby and Sports Club and Utiku & Old

Boys Rugby Football Club. Spectators have filled the grandstand with players utilising the facilities below.

There have been changes to the grandstand over the years, most of which relate to the ground floor interior, but the impressive building largely retains its exterior form.

The future of the grandstand is being investigated, and anticipated strengthening works and community support will help ensure its preservation for future generations to enjoy.

Peter Kipling-Arthur's passion for Taihape’s past and future is clear, “Taihape is a microcosm of small-town architecture and has shown changes in style over the last 130 years. This recognition of the grandstand will help preserve the heart of rural New Zealand.” n