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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
The Rev. Herman Van Staveren
The Rev. Herman Van Staveren, Rabbi of the Hebrew community, who has been in charge of the Wellington district for eighteen years, was born at Bolsward, Friesland, in 1849. Educated in London and at Antwerp, the reverend gentleman was ordained to his life's work in London, when but nineteen years old, by the late chief Rabbi Dr. N. Adler. In 1877 Mr. Van Staveren was engaged by Mr. Joseph Nathan in London for the Wellington community, and accordingly he came out to the colony per ship “Waikato,” landing in Lyttelton. Besides attending to his charge the Rev. Mr. Van Staveren has been foremost in the work of caring for the sick, the destitute, and the unemployed. Before he was fifteen he began to take an interest in charitable institutions. Since 1879 he has been indefatigable in his efforts to further the cause of common philanthropy, having been one of the founders of the Home for the Aged Needy and the Benevolent Home. Mr. Van Staveren has been for many years a member of the Trustees of the Benevolent Institution Contributors, the Home for the Aged Needy, the Hospital Board, and the United District Charitable Ai Board. For several years he was chairman of the two first named, and he is now chairman of the United District Board. He also takes a great interest in matters educational, and for the past three years has been chairman of the Terrace School Committee. In 1875 the reverend gentleman was married to Miss Miriam, daughter of Mr. A. Barnett, of 22 Portsdown Road, Maida Hill, London, W., and has thirteen surviving children—nine daughters and four sons.