Interested in the history of Te Aro? Some great talks coming up!
HERITAGE WEEK 2022 - 24 OCTOBER-6 NOVEMBER 2022
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Slums, the Sacred, and a Gospel of the Helping Hand: Te Aro in the 1920s
11.30am. Sunday 30 October 2022
In the 1920s, more than 90% of European New Zealanders expressed affiliation to a Christian denomination. One hundred years later, by contrast, nearly 50% of the population claim to have ‘no religion’ at all.
Associate Professor Geoff Troughton, programme director of Religious Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, will explore the social role and ministry of the churches during an era of their predominance, with special reference to Te Aro.
This was the context of the City Mission’s work, which began as an initiative of St Peter’s Anglican Church in 1904.
A model of Te Aro ‘slum’ housing from the period will be unveiled. There will also be church services at 8am and 10am. These will use prayers and music from the 1920s, and visitors are welcome.
The talk itself will begin at 11:30am and can be attended without first being at the church service.
This event is free, but koha is welcome for maintenance of St Peter’s church, opened in 1879.
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Wellington’s Roaring Twenties – New Industries and Major Change in Te Aro
1.30pm. Sunday 30 October 2022
During the first four decades of the 1900s, Te Aro was seen as a ‘disease ridden’ slum, with 10,000 residents crammed into small dwellings. In the 1920s, the motor car and planning rules began to transform the area.
Dr Richard Norman, formerly with the School of Business and Government at Victoria University of Wellington will use a new model of Te Aro from the 1920s and photographs to show stages of change to now when Te Aro has more than 15000 residents, mostly in high rise apartments.
This event is free, but koha is welcome for maintenance of St Peter’s church, opened in 1879.
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