Marae Whakaute Launch

Hammers, saws and plumbing tools are at the ready, as a massive $1 million-plus job to get marae in Hastings ready for the influx of tens of thousands of visitors to Te Matatini in 18 months’ time kicks off.

Under the Marae Whakaute (previously MaraeFit) programme, 16 marae will be upgraded. The project, launched today, will see the biggest redevelopment collaboration between a council, funders, iwi and individual marae in New Zealand, says Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule.

All marae were approached, however some had already done their fundraising and started on a redevelopment programme, others were already up to scratch or were not yet ready to start on work.

The catalyst for the work is Te Matatini, billed as the Olympics of Kapa Haka, which will be held in Hawke’s Bay in 2017. The 45-year-old event is run every two years and in recent years has pulled in an average 45 teams (1800 performers) from across New Zealand and Australia. Crowds of up to 20,000 a day are expected to watch the action, and workers and volunteers helping it all run smoothly will number about 1700.

The vast number of those people coming from outside the region will all need somewhere to stay. Marae is a popular accommodation option for the performers and their supporters – hence the drive to ensure they are up to health and safety standards. Local hotels, motels, camping grounds and bed and breakfasts will also benefit from visitors.

Council’s project manager Wayne Ormsby says the requirements are hugely varied, from marae to marae. Work ranges from replacing ageing kitchen appliances with commercial equipment and renovating bathrooms, to the installation of drinking water supplies, as well as putting in disability access.

The marae included in the project are within the Hastings District, under the mana of Ngati Kahungunu. That makes the work that has gone into raising the funds for what are essentially 16 different projects, each with different owners and different needs “exceptional”, says Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule.

“The goodwill of the marae trustees and the funding agencies, means that we will, at the end of 18 months, have marae facilities that enable hapu to meet the demands of hospitality and continue to be an important part of our community.”

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated Chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana is pleased to see this initiative in action. “This is a wonderful community win. I’m grateful to our local funders and Hastings District Council for joining us in this uplifting journey of oneness for our whānau, marae and region. Tūtira mai ngā iwi, tātau, tātau e - Come together as one.”

Funding for the project has come from marae, $244,000 collectively, Hastings District Council, $325,000, the Hawke’s Bay Funders’ Forum, $591,000. The funders are: Eastern & Central Community Trust, Lottery Grants Board, Flaxmere Licensing Trust, Endeavour Community Foundation, Hastings District Council, and Hawke’s Bay Foundation. Eastern Institute of Technology is providing Maori trade trainees to be included in the project.

The funders are pleased at the inclusion of the trade trainees, a requirement at the core of the collaboration between all the parties.

ENDS

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