Counting Our Blessings

We had the most glorious morning in which to host a Blessing on Thursday, March 9th.

Many commented on how moving the ceremony was as representatives from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei led guests from the site entrance, down to the construction base and around its perimeter. At the central point, the sacred stone named “Te Whatu Oro” was placed in the foundation of One Saint Stephens.  “Te Whatu Oro” signifies the reverberation of Chief Apihai te Kawau to gift more than 3000 acres to the founding of Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.

The stone was ceremoniously infused with ancient karakia/incantations throughout its journey to its resting place from where is said to sustain the Mauri of the land for the purpose of which it is being built. 

This laying of the stone is intended to protect the site, all who work hard on it and, eventually, those who will call One Saint Stephens home. The construction crew certainly have been working hard on-site over the past month.

With the trenching, digging, and foundations now complete, the only way is up from here as two stories of cast-in-situ concrete walls are about to be constructed. The lower basement slab will have its waterproofing completed by the end of this month, and a detention tank is about to go in.  We are pleased to bring you this construction update and look forward to sharing more news with you in April.