Whare Ra, Heritage house in Havelock North, New Zealand.
The concrete building on Tauroa Road features reinforced walls, large windows, and architectural elements that differ from standard domestic constructions of its period.
Built in 1913 under the supervision of architect James Chapman-Taylor, the house served as the headquarters for the New Zealand branch of Stella Matutina order.
The building name Whare Ra, meaning House of the Sun, reflects the integration of local Maori language into colonial New Zealand architecture.
The structure withstood the 1931 earthquake without damage due to its reinforced concrete construction methods and engineering specifications.
The temple space inside the house contained specific ritual areas where members studied comparative religion, meditation techniques, and astrological principles.
Location: Hastings District
Inception: 1913
Address: 2 Tauroa Road, Havelock North 4130 4130
GPS coordinates: -39.67650,176.88900
Latest update: May 17, 2025 10:43
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