April 11, 2018
Church tales told through taxpayer grant
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says putting $5 million into the restoration of the St Mary's Church , Taranaki Cathedral should uncover both the good and the bad in the region's colonial history.
The investment is part of $20 million in pledges from the Provincial Growth Fund announced in New Plymouth last week.
The church includes the graves of settlers including Robert Reid Parris, who played a critical part in the Waitara purchase that led to the Taranaki Land Wars, and garden of the neighbouring vicar's residence is the site of the grave of four Tainui chiefs.
"The church wardens would not allow these Tainui chiefs to be buried in hallowed ground, if I can use a term reflective of the attitudes of those days. The vicar, quite a radical guy, says 'you church wardens cannot prevent me from taking these chiefs and burying them in the vicarage garden because they deserve a fitting burial reflective of them fighting for their rights,'" Mr Jowaitara nes says.
While there were some questions about money going to a church trust, it was part of a larger plan endorsed by iwi to help Taranaki attract more visitors.
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