Church at Flea Bay

This little church is beside Akaroa Harbour at Flea Bay. The area is significant as one of three sites in the South Island where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

The foundation stone for the whare karakia (church) was laid in 1876 and the building officially opened in 1878 as the first non-denominational church in New Zealand. The opening was attended by many including Māori from iwi all over New Zealand. Intended as a place of worship for Māori and Pākehā, the church drew the two communities together.

In 1939 the whare karakia was restored to its original state in time for an Akaroa Centenary Service in 1940 that was attended by over 1000 people. A new fence was erected in 1976, and in 1997 the poupou Tumuki was placed at the side of the church. Tumuki was a koha from Te Wai Pounamu Old Girls Association and was carved by Pere Tainui.