Step back in time at historic houses

How often is it said that we shouldn’t leave home without seeing our own backyard first?

And how many of us can say that they have visited the old Kihikihi Police House and Temple Cottage?

Located on the Te Rata-tu Reserve in Lyon Street, Kihikihi, opposite the historic Alpha Hotel, both buildings are classified with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as registered buildings.

Run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers under the banner of the Kihikihi Police House & Temple Cottage Charitable Trust, the buildings are considered special places of interest in Kihikihi village and are part of the Kihikihi Heritage Trail.

The group emphasises that Temple Cottage and the Police House are not museums, but are more about showcasing a fascinating collection of memorabilia and a way of life from bygone eras.

Temple Cottage is a restored and furnished cottage that portrays life as it was in the late 1800s.

The cottage was originally built in 1870 on the Alexander Reserve for Charles Temple, a Forest Ranger and member of the armed constabulary.

It was bequeathed to the community by Charles’ granddaughter, Isabella and subsequently moved to its present site in 1992.

The Kihikihi Police House combines the Constable’s dwelling, the police station and the cell block and has been restored and furnished.

The Police House and adjoining stable was built in 1907 for the police and remained in use as a police station right up until 1967.

And this Police House is the only remaining example of its type left on its original site in public ownership today.

The cells on the site originally came from the old Te Awamutu Police station.

The buildings are often visited by school children from far and wide, the most recent a group from Nga¯ruawa¯hia Primary School.

Here children are allowed to touch.

Children get to dress up, do the washing, play with toys and make butter which they get to eat. They can experience being locked up in a police cell or build something with some of the many tools.

And they wonder how the phone with the handle is used and what those strange peg things are?

The trust acknowledges the assistance of Kate Elliot, Registrar at Waikato Museum who has advised them on preservation and staging of the rooms.

With the buildings open to the public on Wednesday afternoons and the first Sunday of every month, trust members are keen to see their potential further realised.

So what are you doing on November 3?

What about coming out to Kihikihi and stepping back in time as you explore the wonders of Temple Cottage and the Police House and perhaps check out the freshly picked veges and handcrafts on offer at the Kihikihi Carboot Sale located along side.

And when you’re there you might like to stroll down to the Anglican Church hall and learn how to play a ukulele in one of Kihikihi’s Lazy Sunday Ukulele workshops which are held on the same Sunday as Temple Cottage and the Police House are open.

■ When: Every Wednesday from pm1-3pm, the first Sunday of the month from 10am-3pm, by arrangement. Admission: Donation/ koha.

Vehicle entrance is via Havelock Street off Leslie Street. Contact: Jan Burch 871 3685 or Trevor Hall 871 4021 or 027 209 5575.

Photo / Dean Taylor Kihikihi Police House & Temple Cottage Charitable Trust volunteer Jan Birch displays the Police Force of New Zealand Statutes and Regulations 1898, recently donated by Paul Harper — the last Police Officer stationed at Kihikihi from 1970-74. Paul, now retired in Christchurch, has had the book since 1974 and made the trip north with family to donate it to the trust. Jan says it was an emotional visit and Paul has other photos and memorabilia he now wants to bring up on another trip. For Jan, a long-time volunteer, it is an example of why she enjoys being part of the trust. She says every open day she likes to meet and greet visitors and talk about their stories, and often there are many tangible and fascinating links to the past history of the village.