Hidden treasures for trail walkers

Imagine an entire building being constructed out of timber from one gigantic log.

That is precisely what happened in 1862 when volunteers built the Wainui Settlers Church – one of the attractions in this Easter's three-day Hidden Treasure Trail fundraising walk for Hibiscus Hospice.

For many generations this building, now listed by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, was the focal point of local life, serving the community in an astonishing variety of ways.

It was the area's first school, library, and church. It was also the post office, and in the wall of the porch there's still a slit where letters used to be posted.

Mutual Improvement Society meetings were held there regularly, with members enjoying plays and song sessions.

It was even used as a depot for provisions sent from the store at what is now Silverdale.

"Many a bag of flour and bag of sugar has lain in the porch of the church waiting for its owner to collect it."

That is a typical recollection written in 1986 by Mrs Hypatia Vine, granddaughter of the man who originally donated 0.4 hectares as the church's site – brickmaker William Lamont, from Ireland, who had moved here in 1854. He had emigrated with his wife, Eliza, to Melbourne to improve their fortunes because, as the second son, he had no prospect of inheriting his father's farm in County Tyrone.

Life, he decided, was better in New Zealand. He died in 1894, at 63, and is buried with Eliza in the family grave at Wainui Cemetery.

The Settlers Church was built from one kauri log, cut from nearby bush and transported by bullock wagon.

Contemporary reports describe every able-bodied man in the district, regardless of religion, pitching in to help build the church.

The three-day walk starts on Friday, April 2, at the Hare Krishna temple in Riverhead. Day one is a 13-kilometre hike to Dairy Flat via Riverhead Forest.

Day two is a 10km walk from Dairy Flat to Wainui. A highlight will be lunch at the Karma Choeling Tibetan Buddhist temple, which has the biggest Buddha statue in the southern hemisphere.

Day three comprises a 17km walk, starting with a service at the Wainui Settlers Church and ending at Puhoi Church, then tea in the Puhoi hall. The three-day walk costs $200, or participants can sign on for two days at $150, or one at $100. Walkers meet each day at a central point with safe car parking.

For more details call (09)4219180 or go to hchospice.org/nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News