Jim Schuster and Hinemihi

Meeting house Hinemihi has sat in the grounds of Clandon Estate in Surrey England since the 1890s. A few years prior it sheltered and saved 153 lives during the Tarawera Eruption. It is now, finally, due to return home. 

Hinewihi was carved by Jim Schuster’s great grandfather Tene Waitere, and Schuster still lives on his tūpuna’s land at Ruato on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua. He carries forward the great carving and weaving traditions and knowledge of his ancestors in this region sharing it around the world, including the harvesting of natural materials for restoration like raupō, harakeke and kiekie.

Jim Schuster. Image: Hamish Coney

Hinemihi today at Clandon Park, Surrey. Image: Mark Adam

Jim Schuster harvesting kākaho. Reproduced with permission of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Amanda Trayes and Matt Philp.

Hinemihi in 1885 before the Tarawera eruption at Te Wairoa. Image: Elizabeth Pulman.

Hinemihi after the Tarawera Eruption in 1886. Image: Burton brothers

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.