30 May 2016

Okahu Urupa restored thanks to offenders in Tauranga

Around 300 hours of work has been completed in the past two months to renew Okahu Urupa at Matapihi Marae by offenders serving sentences of Community Work in Tauranga.

The urupa had fallen into a state of disrepair and required intensive labour to bring it back to its former glory. Community Work crews constructed a fence and carried out mowing, scrub clearing and cleaning headstones.

The final part of the project was completed Saturday 21 May with the placement of a Pataka Wai Māori (water storage house) at the entrance to the urupa. The Corrections Community Work Supervisor involved constructed the pataka in his own time and with his own materials, spending approximately 20 hours to complete it.

A ceremony was held to recognise the completion of the project. Tauranga Community Corrections Service Manager Nick Ferguson noted that work like this can be very meaningful to those involved,

“Everyone in the crew was very positive about the project. We had some offenders with whānau and cultural links to the area and they were extremely proud of the work they did and how the urupa reflects the pride of the community.

“It’s fantastic when we can align the work we do with the Department’s focus on strengthening cultural ties with the community and giving offenders the opportunity to give back to their own community.”

Community work offenders do unpaid work in the community to pay something back for the offence they have committed. It also gives offenders an opportunity to take responsibility for their offending and learn new skills and work habits.

ENDS

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