Ana Apatu: Divine times at Jerusalem Bay

Lake Taupo

I am on holiday. It's bliss; warm, water and great company. We are camping at Jerusalem Bay, formerly known as Heruharama Ponui Bay, situated on the western side of Lake Taupo.

Jerusalem Bay is located between Acacia Bay and Whakamoenga Point. Lakeside property owned by the Randell family since the 1960s. Nana Ketia Randell (nee Gilbert) thankfully realised how important it was to gain European title to secure their rightful ownership. This process took seven years, which had to be escalated to the then ombudsman Sir Guy Powles.

The eventual ownership was due to persistent and enduring applications to various courts and incurred a cost of several hundred pounds during this period. The family share stories of this Maori shareholder land block being eyed by potential developers and council under the guise of owed land tax.

Many will remember this bay known for its ski lane in the 1960s, eventually shut down by Nana Keita Gilbert Randell. She became tired of the bay crowded by people and boats, dangerous boating (including a death caused by someone water skiing straight into an outboard engine) and disrespectful behaviour.

For those growing up, and sharing summers at Jerusalem Bay there are many fond memories and stories. The family would arrive for Christmas holidays - canvas tents, a washing machine adapted with a lawn mower engine to power a ringer, a shared temporary kitchen area and an outdoor bath warmed by a fire.

I was introduced to Jerusalem Bay by my late husband Jono Randell 27 years ago. We both lived in Taupo for many years. Jono and his cousin Greg Matahiwi Brightwell carved the rock carvings at Mine Bay. The carvings took two summers, from 1978-80, to complete. The focus point is a large face 20 metres high, rising out of the lake water, depicting Te Arawa high priest Ngatoro-irangi. They had to erect scaffolding to carve this large rock face which they dragged round to Mine Bay from Jerusalem Bay by boat.

They had no power source and the carvings were fashioned using cold chisels and mallets. The hardness of the rock face soon blunted edges on the tools, and regular sharpening with a hand-driven grinder was required.

Many of their carving friends joined them for the second summer. At the time the carvings created controversy with locals and hapu, however Ngati Tuwharetoa paramount chief Sir Hepi te Heuheu gave them his blessings. I remember Jono describing how he also gave them $50 and a mutton which was much appreciated. Apart from a small QE2 Arts Trust grant to pay for tools, the project was unfunded and they survived on the generosity of family. This later created some debate due to the fact that Greg and Jono were never recognised financially where many benefit financially from one of the most visited tourist attractions in New Zealand. The carvings are a 20-minute boat journey from Taupo Harbour to Mine (or Okuta) Bay.

But these carvings leave a legacy to Jono and memories of their creation.

Jerusalem Bay has been the location where I have been fortunate enough to enjoy summers with the Randell family for the past 27 years. Warm weather, great swims and great company. It's the kind of holiday where one gets to the point that going into town for supplies is the most unappealing thing one has to do during the day - plus there is much to do during the day for example - washing out the wood-fired spa pool and refilling and heating. The weather is sublime, the food cooked and eaten outdoors and great company are the perfect ingredients for recharging ones batteries and reflecting on the past year.

Having access right on the lake is magic. I receive a text from my sister-in-law to tell me its 34C in Hastings. Phew. I am going to miss this spot next week - able to swim at any stage is bliss. Time for a swim, a glass of wine and dinner. I hope you all have taken time to enjoy this wonderful weather. In the words of Bob Dylan: "Take care of your memories for you cannot relive them".

-Ana Apatu is chief executive of the U-Turn Trust, based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere.