2 February 2010

The Trustees of the Wharewaka o Poneke Charitable Trust said today they were disappointed that Te Raukura will remain at the offices of Te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o Te Ika a Maui Association Incorporated during the opening of Wellington’s new Wharewaka on Waitangi Day.

However Trust Chairman, Professor Sir Ngatata Love, said this will not in any way overshadow the opening of the iconic Wharewaka building. The event on Waitangi Day will be a celebration of tikanga, rituals, pride and sharing for the whole community. “We are opening the Wharewaka in the appropriate manner and it is not necessary for Te Raukura to be present” he said.

Professor Sir Ngatata Love, said “goodwill discussions regarding the waka have been underway for the last few months and an agreement was reached in early January. This accord has now been reneged upon.”

He said: “undertakings given at a meeting facilitated by Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace in late 2010 have also now been swept away”.

An attempt by the Wharewaka o Poneke Charitable Trust and Wellington City Council this morning has not been able to resolve the impasse.

The historical facts are that Te Raukura was commissioned and paid for by the Wellington City Council in 1990 to participate in the sesqui celebrations.

At the same time it was agreed that a Wharewaka would be built on the Wellington waterfront to house it.

After the 1990 celebrations concluded, Runanga representatives in liaison with Wellington City Council agreed to store Te Raukura in Wellington. Unfortunately the waka suffered water damage to its hull and Council then agreed to temporarily move Te Raukura to Waiwhetu for restoration of the hull and storage until an appropriate building was developed. The repair to the hull and transportation of Te Raukura was also paid for by Wellington City Council.

The Wharewaka o Poneke Charitable Trust Chairman, Professor Sir Ngatata Love said “It is unfortunate that earlier commitments and undertakings are not being honoured.

Toi Maori Aotearoa – Kaupapa Waka – the Nga Waka Federation of Toi Maori will be supporting the opening of the Wharewaka on Waitangi Day with Mataatua bringing two waka - Mataatua Toroa and Hinemoana down from the Bay of Plenty. Both will be involved in the elaborate dawn ceremony.

ENDS

© Scoop Media