New library at Te Papapa School honours family legacy2 min read

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Two years ago, when Janet Edmond approached Te Papapa School principal Robyn Curry and offered to build a new library for the school, Robyn admits her first thought was “yeah right!” But in March, she was delighted to be proved wrong as the school blessed their brand new Nieukerke Library.

The Nieukerke Charitable Trust was created by long-term Onehunga residents Eunice and Charles Nieukerke in their wills. Funded by income from their two properties in Quadrant Road, the Trust made small donations of books to local schools.

However, when their niece and goddaughter, Janet, became a trustee, she decided to refocus the Trust. She had seen the increase in property prices since Eunice and Charles passed away, and realised the value of the land was far in excess of what her aunt and uncle could have ever predicted. Her feeling was they would have been delighted to see the properties used to build something permanent that would benefit generations of children.

Janet not only donated the fund, she became a driving force throughout the construction. She project managed the entire process, solved every problem that arose and even helped cover the books before they were placed on the shelves.

Robyn says, “I can’t express in words how grateful we are to Janet,” adding that building projects are usually “horrendous,” but “Janet did everything and made it seem so easy and seamless.”

Naturally, Janet was the guest of honour at the blessing, along with her sister, Sue, and fellow Nieukerke trustee, Andrew Walter. When praised for her efforts, she modestly responded,“I was just a conductor,” at which point Andrew interjected to say “a very, very good conductor.”

Robyn also paid tribute to Crissi Blair from the National Library, whose team set up the library’s management system and helped source books.

Charles and Eunice are also part of the building’s story; there is a plaque commemorating them by the doorway, and the brightly painted external artwork, by artist Luca Bempensante, includes a portrait of them sitting on a bench enjoying the view of the school.

The Te Papapa Library is the second of three Nieukerke school libraries. The first was in Waihi, Eunice’s hometown, and the third will be at Onehunga High School, which is awaiting the start of construction.