WelCom December 2024/January 2025
Gerard Duignan
A ceremony of remembrance (of the dead) and recommitment (to the care of the place) at Korokoro Catholic cemetery drew a crowd, on Sunday 1 December, the day after November, the month for all souls. They gathered beside the grave of famous chief Wi Tako buried in 1877 where, at that time, thousands were present for his burial, including many parliamentarians.
Early Catholics – Māori and European – who are buried at the cemetery were remembered and the four corners of the urupā blessed. Led by Msgr Gerard Burns, members of Te Wairua Tapu | Holy Spirit and Te Awakairangi parishes shared prayers, waiata and kōrero about the heritage of this cemetery, originally gifted to the Catholic Archbishop of Wellington in perpetuity through notable chief Te Puni.
Following the ceremony a walk via Te Puni cemetery in Pito-one | Petone led to a refreshing kaputī, cuppa, at Sacred Heart Church.
The Petone Stewardship Team in Te Wairua Tapu | Holy Spirit Parish and members of the Love Whānau, descendants of Wi Tako, have been meeting for about five years, initially with Deacon Danny Karatea-Goddard as Cardinal John Dew’s representative and latterly Pā Gerard Burns. Tui Lewis, Deputy Mayor of Lower Hutt, has also supported the project.
This event followed previous ceremonies at the Korokoro cemetery, firstly led by Cardinal Tom Williams and later by Cardinal John Dew.
In 1956 the cemetery was closed by Act of Parliament as part of the construction of SH2/Western Hutt Road.
