Heritage et AL

Ref: Lopdell House, December 2013 I live in Titirangi, and in recent weeks, I have watched Lopdell House emerge like a pale butterfly from its cocoon of scaffolding and plastic building wrap. It has undergone seismic strengthening and significant refurbishment , and work has now started on an adjoining new gallery . This locally important, grand building has had an interesting history and over the years has been used for a wide range of purposes. Built to try and capitalise on the established tourist trade in Titirangi and the Waitakere Ranges (primarily Auckland day trippers) ‘Hotel Titirangi’ was built in 1929-1930, and was promoted as “A Castle on the Fringe of Heaven” (‘Lopdell House and a History of Hotel Titirangi, by Peter Buffet (1986)). Ref: JTD-10A-01675, Advertisement for Hotel Titirangi, 1936, West Auckland Research Centre The ‘Spanish mission style’ hotel could accommodate over 60 guests in its fully-carpeted rooms with en-suites, and included a small shop, t...

For Māori, Te Henga or Bethells as it is also known, is a very important location. During pre-European times the Waitakere ranges including Te Henga, was one of the most densely populated areas because food was easy to catch from the sea and grow on the land. Ref: JTD-02E-01755-G, view south showing O'Neill Bay, Erangi Point, Ihumoana Island, Bethells Beach, Pukekowhai Point and headlands beyond, c.1930s, West Auckland Research Centre The long occupation of this area by the tangata whenua (people of the land), Te Kawerau a Maki can be seen in the large number of archaeological sites scattered along the coast, including 18 pa (fortification sites) and at least 10 kainga (village sites). It is also reflected in the name Te Henga, which means 'the food for a work party'. Ref: AWNS-19381207-50-3, west coast seascape: A view at Bethells (Te Henga), 1938, Sir George Grey Special Collections