Maori Meeting House... in leafy Surrey
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Nestled under the trees in the traditional English garden of a stately home in Surrey is a brightly painted wooden house that is as important a piece of Maori history as you’ll find by travelling to the other side of the world. Save yourself the long journey - take an afternoon trip to the bit of New Zealand that stands in Clandon Park near Guildford instead.
The Maoris call the building ‘Hinemihi’ and it was bought as a souvenir for £50 by William Hillier, 4th Earl of Onslow when he was New Zealand’s Governor General 100 years ago. He shipped Hinemihi home to be erected on his lawn.
But to Maoris it was more than just a garden ornament for a wealthy colonialist. The house had been built by noted craftsman Aporo Wharekaniwha in the village of Te Wairoa on North Island. The village was wiped out in a volcanic eruption in 1886 - the only survivors were those who sheltered in Hinemini.
So Clandon has become a place of pilgrimage for Maoris. Ancestors of the survivors make the round trip, dawn ceremonies are held at the house and members of the London Maori Club hold traditional meals there.
In comparison, Clandon's other world sight, the sunken Dutch garden, appears to have no spiritual significance. Angry raiding parties of Dutch garden lovers are unlikely to be seen digging up the colourless formal rectangle of hedges and paths.
Contact tel: +44 (0)1483 222482
Cost per person (no concessions): Free
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West Clandon Park
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