Pompallier Mission manager receives French honour

8 April 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

Pompallier Mission manager receives French honour

High honour: French Ambassador Michel Legras, Pompallier Mission Property Manager Kate Martin and Tai Tokerau Kaumatua Raumoa Kawiti. Photographer: Max Pinkham

Manager of New Zealand Historic Places Trust property Pompallier Mission, Kate Martin became just the fifth New Zealander to be created a Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres) by the French Government when she received the honour in Wellington last week .

The Order of Arts and Letters was established in 1957 and is one of the most significant awards the French Government can make to a non-French national. The award recognises the significant contributions to the arts, literature or promotion of these fields in French culture.

Ms Martin received the honour in recognition of her research about, and promotion of, Pompallier Mission in New Zealand and the Pacific. A uniquely French Provincial building, Pompallier reflects the wider French influences in the region.

“It really represents more than just one man and one building – it’s about French culture on many rich levels. Pompallier is the only surviving pioneer printery in New Zealand – and the sole surviving building of the original Catholic Mission in Western Oceania.”

Ms Martin has helped forge strong links between New Zealand and Lyon, France, where Jean Baptiste Francois Pompallier was born and the Marist mission originated. Those links include traditional tanning, print culture, literacy and languages, and architecture.

“Because Pompallier is built of pisé-de-terre (rammed earth) the relationships with the Maisons Paysannes du Rhone and the World Centre for Earthen Architecture, both in the Lyon area, are also strong.”

Ms Martin joins author Fiona Kidman, Auckland University professor Raylene Ramsay, architect Brendan Macfarlane and Miles Rogers, for services to music, as the other New Zealand recipients of the award, while international Knights include legendary ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev, actors George Clooney and Jude Law and singer Kylie Minogue.

Ms Martin said that receiving the honour at the French Ambassador’s residence was both humbling and overwhelming.

“This award is not just for me but the work of the NZHPT and indeed for New Zealand heritage. I am particularly pleased to be taking this award back to the people of Northland – it is truly heartfelt.”

Pompallier Mission is in Russell, Bay of Islands. It has been cared for by NZHPT since 1967 and is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
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