Waihi Village

Waihi Village, also known as Little Waihi, is a small Māori community of around 25 households^[1] on the southwestern shores of Lake Taupo seven kilometres northwest of Turangi, New Zealand. It has been the site of three major landslides, in 1910, 1846 and around 1780, which killed over 200 people in total.^[2] The landslides flowed down the Waimatai Stream from their source above the village in the Hipaua Steaming Cliffs geothermal area.^[3]

The village's Catholic Church of Saint Werenfried featured on a 40 cent Christmas stamp in 2002.^[4]

The village was evacuated on 29 June 2009 after a series of small earthquakes, which led to fears of a landslide.^[5] Residents were allowed to return on 2 July 2009.^[6]

Waihi Village is part of the Lake Taupo Bays statistical area.^[7]

Whare whakairo[]

The official opening of Tapeka, the whare whakairo was held on 18 April 1959. The opening was presided over by Ngāti Tūwharetoa paramount chief, Mr Hepi Hoani Te Heuheu Tukino. Guests included Hon Eruera Tihema Tirikatene and the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Walter Nash. Tapeka was said to have been built to replace a previous whare whakairo which was reportedly unstable during earthquakes. The building project took eight years to complete and involved fundraising, volunteer labour, gala days, functions and a government subsidy. ^[8]

The carvings for the former Tapeka were presented to St Peters College, Northland for their recreation hall in 1955. All the carvings in Tapeka (1959) were newly carved. The carving project was welcomed by Princess Te Puea to Turangawaewae Marae and was supervised by her nephew Tamatai Wanakore Herangi. However, due to his ill health, the project was moved to the Rotorua School of Arts and Crafts and continued by Tuhaka Kapua and Hone Taiapa. The carving project was eventually taken home to Waihi, Lake Taupo by Hone Taiapa. ^[8]