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.
ends