Kerikeri mission station
Two of the country's historic places - the Kerikeri Mission House and the adjacent Stone Store - are overseen by Sue and Fergus Clunie. Fergus and Sue have challenged the traditional interpretation of historic events at the Mission Station, which they say was the spearhead of New Zealand colonisation. They have brought new - and sometimes controversial - insights into the Kerikeri Basin where Maori and Pakeha first lived, worked and traded with each other during the 'Early Contact' period, and which saw the proliferation of muskets among local Maori. The Kerikeri basin is regarded as being internationally significant, where people are able to see the conception of a nation taking place.
The Kerikeri Mission House (also knows as Kemp House) is New Zealand's oldest standing European building (built in 1821-22). As the oldest building it has a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders drawing tens of thousands of local and international visitors a year. The house has survived conflict (it's the sole survivor of the Musket Wars of the 1820s), storm, decay and patch-up building jobs over the generations. It also survived a disastrous flood in 1981 that nearly destroyed it. The threat of flood damage remains, however, and Trust staff are on regular alert - particularly after heavy rainfall.
Next door to the Kerikeri Mission House stands New Zealand's oldest surviving trading post - the Stone Store. Now regarded as a national icon, the Stone Store was built in 1832-36 from volcanic rock and burnt shell mortar. Today, it still functions as a store selling specialist merchandise including cast iron pots from South Africa like those that would have been sold in the 19th Century, Hudson Bay blankets and old style sweets (including perennial favourites Blackballs and Acid Drops), as well as old English padlocks and American cut nails. All goods for sale have been carefully selected for authenticity, and profits go to the Stone Store.
Filming and photography is permitted in the Kerikeri Mission Station buildings (Kerkeri Mission House and Stone Store) and the grounds.
Further information:
Fergus and Sue Clunie
Interviews by appointment only
Phone +64 9 407 9236
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