A chance to learn about Purewa

Eastern suburbs community groups will soon be able to learn more about Purewa first-hand.

Groups such as U3A, retirement villages, churches, clubs and civic organisations who have an interest in Purewa can now request a speaker from the cemetery to come to them.

The presentation features live narration by a Purewa staff or Board member accompanied by a multimedia slide and video show. Topics include Purewa’s history, an overview of the cemetery’s current facilities and media featuring some of Purewa’s notable people. It’s a fascinating story that is deeply connected to the history and heritage of Auckland.

Purewa’s adventure really began in 1842 with the arrival of Bishop George Augustus Selwyn who purchased a block of farmland on both sides of what is now St John’s Road in Meadowbank. It was on this land that the cemetery formally began operations in 1889.

Today, Purewa remains a beautiful preserve of this original land right in the heart of Auckland and stands as a witness to the lives who are remembered there.

With more than 65,000 people resting at peace in Purewa it’s not surprising there are many stories to tell about the lives of people from all walks of life from politics, the arts, sport, business, war heroes, unsung heroes, education, medicine, the military, religion and more.

Many of these stories are already available through the Purewa website’s New Zealand Heritage section. There you will find links to Purewa’s Courageous Women virtual tour, information on how to try the Purewa selfguided touring app on your mobile phone, and fascinating videos, including the most recent one about Purewa’s Helen Weaver Munro, the woman who inspired some of Sir Edward Elgar’s most beautiful musical compositions.

Purewa General Manager Alastair Crombie says Purewa has always been an active and integral part of the community and this latest initiative is another step in the cemetery’s interaction with eastern suburbs communities, clubs and organisations.

If your group would like to hear more, email friends@purewa.co.nz to arrange a free visit from a Purewa speaker.

Famous artist Charles Goldie grooming Atama Paparangi before painting him. Paparangi was Chief of the Taumai hapu of the Rarawa tribe and a revered warrior and mentor. Goldie was buried at Purewa following his death in 1947.