Block plant history

Click on the link below for a summary of history for this building. 

Block plant history

Biesenger House History

Click on the link below for a history summary. 

Biesenger House History

Honoring the past and preparing for the future.

Temple View New Zealand is an unique community founded on faith. It was built with the love, dedication and fervent hope of an army of labour missionaries and the fledgling mission that supported them and their families.

Although the Church College of New Zealand (CCNZ) is now closed for good, the buildings that supported the operations of the school continue to be invaluable to the community and the larger New Zealand LDS population. It is not the intention of the supporters of this blog to start a dialogue around the closure of CCNZ or engage in a debate on reopening it in any form.

The buildings and campus of the former CCNZ have been witness to the visits of Prime Ministers, Queens, Government officials and important leaders including multiple Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the express aim of this blog and the supporters of it to highlight and share the rich cultural heritage of the buildings, community and the individuals who contributed to it over the past 60 years. The David O. Mckay building was a first in Hamilton as a multipurpose event centre hosting concerts and visiting groups such as the world famous Harlem Globe Trotters. This centre played a pivotal role in providing a space for civic and community functions for the rapidly expanding Hamilton.

We encourage all who have examples of this heritage to share your stories, your photos and your love of this unique community and the landmark structures that are monuments to an extraordinary legacy.

The supporters of this blog respectfully acknowledges the need for additional LDS religious meeting space and private housing within the community. We do not believe that the plan being presented by the Envisioning NZ is the only viable option available. We seek to create a dialogue to explore additional options that preserve key buildings and enable the needs and future growth of a modern community to be met.

This blog, and supporters of it firmly believe that the heritage of this community is worth preserving. The unique architectural aesthetic and social fabric making it a unique community in New Zealand is worth preserving.

The content of Legacy Temple View NZ will consist of the following:

1. Detailed information concerning the inception, development and history of Temple View and the Church College of New Zealand.
2. Shared stories, personal and public photos and memories of Temple View and the Church College of New Zealand.
3. A chronological history of developmental plans and actions of all parties involved starting when the closure of the Church College of New Zealand was announced. This will include but not be limited to:  #Plans presented for the development of the former campus of CCNZ. #Minutes, emails and other correspondence regarding public meetings, local council processes and other related publicly available developments. #Engineering reports and other relevant documents. 

The intent is to inform, inform, inform. The plans presented are not set in concrete. An open, frank and respectful community dialogue can be conducted to find a suitable compromise. We encourage all who wish to have their opinions heard, to participate, contribute and be counted. 

If you have any questions, or wish to contribute please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Naku noa na,

Brett Stirling

Site administrator

CCNZ was a diamond in the educational crown for Maori and Pacific people and has not been successfully replicated since its closure

INTERNET REFERENCE: http://www.slideshare.net/kiakaha/church-college-of-new-zealand-presentation

Re-purposing the former Church College of New Zealand campus - Chris Dawson and Don White

INTERNET REFERENCE:
http://www.planning.org.nz/Folder?Action=View%20File&Folder_id=269&File=DAWSON_Chris.pdf

The Temple View Project
Re-purposing the former Church College of New Zealand campus
Chris Dawson1, Don White2
The Hamilton New Zealand Temple is spiritually significant for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Church) both in New Zealand and throughout the Pacific Area and also to the Hamilton City community. The closure of the adjacent Church College of New Zealand at the end of 2009 has provided an opportunity for the Church to review the way in which it manages and develops its land to ensure that the environment surrounding the Temple is protected and the Temple View community is enhanced.
Project Goal: To protect the environment surrounding the New Zealand Temple and to undertake the long term development of the church owned land around the Temple precinct in a manner that is economically, environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable, efficient and flexible by;
(a) Preserving cultural heritage;
(b) Stimulating economic development;
(c) Developing opportunities for additional residential space;
(d) Improving meetinghouse facilities;
(e) Enhancing community resources;
(f) Exploring tertiary educational opportunities;
(g) Resolving the Hamilton City/Waipa District boundary issue.
(h) Cleaning up and mitigating contaminated areas.
The project team has had to respond to some challenging questions;
How do you repurpose a former secondary school built in the early 1950s and revitalise a community that has largely developed around the school and its activities? How do you address the heritage values inherent in a group of former school buildings that have their design loosely based on 1950s modernist architecture and yet still provide clear but flexible guidance for future development? How do you simultaneously address contamination issues, deep peat, unusual territorial authority boundaries and aging infrastructure to make this dream a reality?
How do you recognise the spiritual importance of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple while trying to interpret and remember the history of the adjacent former school campus. The challenges in working under an Operative District Plan while also addressing a Proposed District Plan process are explored. Lessons learnt are explored and the methods used by the project team to engage with the community are discussed.
H:\NZPI\2013\NZPI Conference 2013\Temple View presentation\Temple View presentation abstract.docx

'Dreaming of the old M.A.C...'

INTERNET REFERENCE http://www27.us.archive.org/stream/tekarere5000chur/tekarere5000chur_djvu.txt

When you speak of the old MAC. to the Maori people of today, notice- the proud look that comes into their eyes as they momentarily glance in retrospect and dream of the day when all were talking about achievements of the football team. And while yon are in the presence of one who has seen many things since those :back with him as he remembers men who sailed across the aisle from him in different classes. Men who today, because of their leadership, are individual monuments to the worth of the spirit and teachings found in the old MAC. In July, a visionary man hoarded a ship bound for Maoriland. He, too, was dreaming of the old M.A.C, but his thoughts were carry- him beyond the old edifice — . They were just beyond the horizon and he- was inspired to visualize a new edifice rising from the spirit of the old. He knew then that he was to direct his endeavours toward making that vision a reality. From the moment that that man, Tumuaki Young, assumed his responsibilities in this land as OUT Tnmnaki he has had within his heart a desire to procure the best piece of land possible which would he suitable for the erection of a new college. New Zealand, being an agricultural country,would merit a school directed primarily toward the better application of farming principles. With this thought in mind he sought a piece of land in the centrally located Waikato area. His task was a difficult one because no satisfactory land was available at the time. On his fourth visit to the land agencies he again reiterated his desire, but no land was offered for sale. Just as he was leaving the office he noticed that another man had entered, and he felt that he should voice his' quest once more. The Almighty was not to be denied: The late arrival arose and told President Young that he knew of just such a place. The property was not for sale, he explained- but the owner had previously voiced his desire for a smaller section of farmland. Such an arrangement would be better for him because his livestock would be well fed and his physical well-being would not be impaired. "Would you care to see the place some time?" he queried. Tumuaki's timely reply was favourably received by the strange man. "My car is right outside," he said, "would you have time to show me the land now?" The man assented to the request, and they quickly left the land office. As they travelled along the Tuhikaramea Road toward Mr. Meldrum's farm, President Young's senses were quickened and the spirit of M.A.C. burned stronger in his heart. A huge natural stadium met his eye, and with that first view came joy. "This is it," he mused. "This is the Place !" In that moment he knew, as he looked into the future, that the Lord had heard and that the way would be opened for the procurement of the chosen land. Mr. Meldrum listened assuringly as he heard, and visualized the noble pur- pose for which his farm would be used. He had no desire to sell his farm, he explained, but could not be one to stay in the way of such a righteous under- taking. He promised to do his best to see that his farm would be
used for the new centre of learning. As far as Mr. Meldrum was concerned the deal was closed. From now on it would be up to the Government and the Un-seen Hand. Soon President Young was in Wellington conferring with the Prime Minister and other officials concerned with land procurement. Wherever he went he was able to meet with the approval of officials concerned. The Guiding Hand was indeed near, and, irregardless of today's change of gov- ernment, we can feel assured that His presence will linger near in order that the worthy purpose . might be accomplished. Within a short time a new group of missionaries made their appearance on the land of the Kiwi. Among them was Elder Stanley A. Hall, a surveyor before his call as a missionary of the Lord. Yes,. a servant was raised up that the all-important first step could be taken. Elder Hall was set apart as Mission Surveyor in early November, 1949. Equipment and materials were soon made ready and, with Elders Richard W. Lines and J. Ralph Mantle as his assistants, Elder Hall made plans for the survey. On the beautiful, clear morning of November 17th the land was dedicated for surveying. As we worked we were constantly aware of an unseen power — a fourth person protecting our efforts, governing our actions, answering our prayers, and giving us a feeling of calmness and unity that we had never before realized. There is no greater joy than that that is found when men are in harmony with one another in the service of their Creator. Oft times our work was threatened with delays by rain, but in answer to our prayers the heavens were stayed. \^ long as we diligently pursued our course we were in perfect harmony, and the survey continued without hindrance. (Continued on Page 82)

Stella Kenyon - memories of a Cook Island girl at CCNZ.

I was 14 years old when I came to Church College with a group of students from the Cook Islands. We all qualified for the title of FOB because we travelled here by boat. The boat carried among many things, bananas and the original Raro Juice. 

We were the last of the two groups that came here, carrying our own hopes and dreams and those of our parents. We all came from similar backgrounds - poor, with parents who struggled to put food on the table and clothes on our backs. Our family was not from Rarotonga so we did not have our own home and were at the mercy of relatives who shared their home with us or gave us a place to stay until it was not convenient. Our last home for 6 months was a one room house 5mx4m with a curtain that divided the sleeping area from the dining. Our stove was a single primus burner, a food safe but no fridge. We had the luxury of electricity for lights which we had not previously had. 

My father had left Rarotonga to live on another island a few years before and I still missed him desperately. My mother and I clashed and I could not voice the unhappiness I felt inside but there were many nights that I hoped I would go to sleep and not wake up. I did not know there was a name for what I was feeling but when I was told that we were going to Church College, I knew that everything was going to be alright. 

Being accepted into CCNZ literally saved my life.When I arrived that March day in 1972, the view of the David O. McKay building was an awesome sight, drawing the eye to the temple in the background. I was filled with awe and reverence, feeling so privileged and humbled that I was going to be schooled in such magnificence. Rarotonga's tallest building was only 2 storeys. You can imagine what it was like for a girl fresh of the boat and out of the islands to see and view those buildings. 

I had no wish to break school rules or wander off its boundaries. Its beautifully manicured lawns and flowered borders, the rose gardens with its scent that filled the air as we walked down the blocks, made up for the lack of coconut trees, ocean breezes and the sound of the surf that had usually lulled me to sleep at night. I was dismayed by the grumbles of fellow students that complained about the restrictive rules and cafe food. I could not understand their feelings because I had come from a home where the consequences for disobedience could be mighty sore and to be able to walk anywhere on the college grounds was absolute bliss. 

The food was out of this world for someone for whom supper sometimes meant sugared hot water and a slice of plain bread, eaten and sometimes dunked to make it last. Savouring the last mouthful was something I knew how to do and I did savour and appreciate every mouthful of cafeteria food; even the chicken bones did not go to waste. 

I was fearful of not passing exams and that gave me impetus to study (sometimes last minute because my love of reading could at times over ride the fear) and I left having achieved UE.

There were many that left dissatisfied with their Church College experience and those that did not achieve the hopes their parents had for them. My story is not unique. What is however unique, is the legacy and individual stories of sacrifice and achievement made by the builders, families, whanau and the Iwi who supported the building of these magnificent and awesome buildings. The David O McKay building is not only a monument of its size but a fitting and worthy monument to that story. This is a monument worth keeping, deserving of its status as a heritage for all whose stories are interwoven in its bricks and mortar, the driven steel and plastered walls. It is a rallying cry to all those who rallied to the cry of Kia Ngawari. That gave and gave and gave. Not only of time and food, but of sweat and heart.
It is a worthy monument to the tears of tipuna who wanted the best for its rangatahi who were not been given the best by the system of its time and of today. 

All Iwi of the length and breadth of Aotearoa are part of this weaving – the raranga of hands and muscle that cooked, fed, built, dug and survived floods, cramped quarters and illness. That never gave up and never gave in. For whom failure was not a word or an idea. They are worthy of the building they built for it was worthily built and as they withstood the challenge of its day, so should this building and this campus stand as a challenge and a testament to all who say it can’t be done. 

The Labour missionaries showed it could be done and the challenge of Kia Ngawari should ring out loud, ring out strong. Iwi should unite and rally because memories grow dim, stories die with those that go and a room to show the taonga and pictures although of merit is not the same as the building that breathes, that can be seen and touched; to be admired and to be marvelled at. That is why monuments are built and we already have one. Kia Ngawari