Pari-one-taka: a deepening connection to place

To celebrate our Anglican history of 70 years at the Selwyn Village site in Point Chevalier, Auckland, we were honoured to work with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to build an understanding of the whenua/land dating back 725 years.

Guided by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei cultural leader and tribal historian Joe Pihema and Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate and renowned craftsman and designer Carin Wilson, we commenced a very special project to explore the Māori history of the Selwyn Village whenua – known in those times as ‘Pari-one-taka’, meaning ‘the sandy crumbling cliffs’.

Our research traced the whakapapa of the land from the earliest Māori arrivals – we learnt that the land holds very important cultural and spiritual significance for mana whenua – through to the time of Bishop George Selwyn and the establishment of the village in 1954 by Auckland City Missioner Canon Douglas Caswell.

A series of highly engaging presentations was held for residents, staff and the local community, with an accompanying full-colour publication also designed and launched during our 2025 Founders’ Day commemorations.

Our greater knowledge and understanding of the history of our whenua will now inform our long-term village planning in ways that reflect kaitiakitanga/guardianship and deep respect for those who came before us.

The Selwyn Foundation’s Chief Executive Denise Cosgrove with co-presenter Carin Wilson at a Pari-one-taka presentation at Selwyn Village in April 2025.