Purewa a Living Space
New Zealand Heritage and History
Experience the Continuing Power of
Lives Remembered at Purewa
Our lives have meaning. And meaning is a narrative, the story of our lives.
A place like Purewa exists to preserve the memory of our shared human story through the individuals laid to rest here.
These short films highlight timely and timeless accounts reflecting New Zealand’s history and identity.
Come visit Purewa and explore these stories up close! There is even an app tour available to guide you.
We look forward to seeing you!
Anzac 2025 – Remembering Sir Harold Eric Barrowclough
Witold Bukowski: Polish Hero and Defender of Ukraine
Matariki: Remembering Mere Wharepapa and Partner Tom “Darby” Ryan
Daisy Spurgeon – Grandaughter of Charles Spurgeon
Amelia Haszard Survivor of New Zealand’s Greatest Natural Disaster
Sir Roger Hall on playwright Dean Parker
Anzac 2022: Kiwis Fight the Battle of Megiddo “Armageddon”
Michael Hurst
on actor
Kevin Todd Smith
Sir Edward Elgar’s Kiwi Inspiration
Captain Donald Harkness – Biplane Bomber of Zeppelins in WWI
Arthur Guyon Purchas – New Zealand’s Renaissance Man
Walter Batty: Tongan All Black and Hero of Desert Fight Against Rommel’s Panzers
Select Recent Stories
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Read More🖌️Catherine Wright Burcher🖼️
Catherine is a noted 19th century New Zealand painter.
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Read MoreA Fatal Accident on the Sonoma
Sometimes we happen upon a headstone that suggests an interesting story. Such was the case of this headstone for a Mr Ferguson. A native of Michigan, USA, erected by the officers and crew of the S.S. Sonoma, and covered in Masonic symbols.
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Read MoreRemembering the Porteous Children: Ponsonby Fire 1911
On the 16th of February, at 2am, 115 years ago in 1911 - a fire broke out in a Ponsonby fish shop and spread to the dwelling upstairs where the Porteous family lived.
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Read MoreWaimangu Geyser: Scene of Recent Terrible Catastophe🌋
David McNaughton was accidentally killed on the 30th August 1903. David and three others were killed when they moved closer to the Waimangu Geyser to get a photograph. At that exact moment, the geyser erupted.