The origins of Te Aroha, in a modern sense, begin with the :"Te ra o te Pahua" - the day when the British constabulary threatened the destruction of Parihaka, in Taranaki. It was avoided by Te Whiti O Rongomai, prophet and pacifist leader, and ancestor of the Atiawa people of Waiwhetu whom preached the creed of "Te Aroha" instead of violence "whakaaro pai te tangata" the greatest thing for human existence is peace and harmony in the faith of Christianity. Te Aroha was carried from Parihaka to Waiwhteu by Atiawa elders to be held in trust forever. Today beside the Waiwhetu river stands "Arohanui ki te tangata" meeting house. Inside the house is Te Whiti O Rongomai and his teachings. These teachings were embedded in the Te Aroha Hutt Valley Association to be practiced by all whom manage the whanau organisation. 1937 - 1973 The small band of Atiawa people living at Waiwhetu in 1937 began to formalise the Te Aroha Hutt Valley Association. There was the "Waiwhetu Cricket Club" and regular tournaments of tennis at the Hutt Park. Inter tribal tournaments began between Ngati Toa of Porirua and the Hutt Valley Atiawa people playing rugby, basketball and tennis. In those days the tangata whenua groups, Ngati Toa and Atiawa, lived primarily as rural dwellers inside a growing urban area. It was their activities in sport and culture which created the spirit and life blood of the Te Aroha Association which has endured to 1994. Past Te Aroha Members Following the beginnings of Te Aroha many people came from the "four winds" to assist the building of the meeting house and the development of the sporting and cultural groups. Many of their descendants remain as members of the Te Aroha. The continuity of lineage, of whakapapa and whanautanga has been maintained with pride and dignity. Today we salute our past members with our love and assurance that we will continue with what they have created. "Whaikororia te Atua i runga rawa Maungarongo i runga i te whenua Whakaaro pai te tangata." "Glory to God in the highest, Peace on earth, Good will to all women and men" The Atiawa community of Waiwhetu have always been concerned for the proper development and cultural life of their people. For this reason the Te Aroha Association was founded in 1937 and fostered Rugby, Rugby League, Cricket, Tennis, Hockey, Basketball and cultural groups. In 1944, as World War II was coming to its end, the men returning from Europe came to the Hutt area to work. They were housed at Shandon Camp at Petone near the Hutt River. Single women from the rural areas had also moved to the Hutt during the war many 'man-powered' into the cities to take the jobs men had left to become soldiers. Most women were housed at the Woburn hostels at Waiwhetu visits from men folk from Petone was a natural outcome. They got together at Waiwhetu and new families began - whanau whom were to be part of Te Aroha for all time. Their 'Marae' was the 'Puketapu homestead' in Whites Line East. "Paddy's old house." This was the first 'clubrooms.' All the teams gathered at the old house after their Saturday matches to be hosted with Maori food and friendship. Their weekly activities were enjoyed in the 'spirit' of 'te Aroha' and 'whanau' which has continued to this day. Te Aroha 1973 New clubrooms were opened in 1973 pm Te Whiti Park largely through the joint efforts of the Association, a substantial effort by its affiliate the Cricket club, local families and sports clubs. Special mention must be made of our now deceased kuia, affectionately known as 'Mickey Owen" whom had created a temporary clubrooms behind her house at 13 Puketapu Grove, to increase the pace of the fundraising. Efforts of "Aunty Mickey" remain as inspiration to us all. In recent years the youth expanded quickly and softball became very dominant. Today Te Aroha is a strong force in the Hutt Valley Softball competition. Other clubs began to spring up and in 1990 Rugby League was rejuvenated. It soon became evident that the Pavilion on Te Whiti Park was inadequate to meet future needs. Thus, looking to the future the local people agreed to precede to build a new family which would cope with some 14 clubs affiliated to the Te Aroha Association. All information for the Te Aroha History page was gathered from a special publication that was put together by the local community members working with the Open Polytechnic . |
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| The New Te Aroha 1994 'Te Aroha 1994' is the old and the new. The youngsters of 50 years ago say that things have not changed in 1994. The whanau way of the people is still the life blood of the Associations activities. Wheather it is softball or kapa haka or rugby league or cricket or an organised game of social cards, the feeling and the goodwill remains the same. Te Aroha is as its name says, 'be kind to each other' Promote whanautanga- familiness. 'Be there for the young and old. Provide for their lives in the best possible way. _____________________________ |
| Te Aroha Rugby League History shots.... Click on the links below to see Te Aroha Rugby League photos from the past ..... Photo 1 Photo 2 Click here to email us if you know the names of these players....we know most of them do you know any.... |
| Te Aroha - Origins |
| Archives Page |