St Josephs Waihi Convent School, Waihi Bay, Lake Taupo

"In 1910, [Merania] went to Little Waihi School.  They were living in Tokaanu" (1).  Her Grandchildren confirm that this was a reference to the Convent School at Waihi.  This convent was set up under the auspices of J.W.Smiers who built a presbytery and the Church of St Werenfrid at Waihi.  In 1904 Edward Bruning built a school and convent at Tokaanu.  He was assisted by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart who arrived in 1905 to staff the school.  The school was  shifted from Tokaanu to Waihi about 1910. (2) This is undoubtedly the school that she attended until she left the area in 1914, to live in Tawata with Titi Tihu.

(1) Tom Teika, correspondence to Janey Teika 2001
(2) NZ Encyclopedia - Te Ara, Langerwerf, Adrian Cornelius

Screen shot : Google Earth of the Waihi Area

Waihi Marae (Tapeka) and St Werenfrids Church, WAIHI, Southern Shores of Lake Taupo