Boost for marae at the centre of communities
Hon Nanaia Mahuta
Te Minita Whanaketanga
Māori
Minister for Māori Development
4 July
2019
PĀNUI PĀPĀHO
MEDIA STATEMENT
Marae around the country will benefit from
boosted initiatives to upgrade their buildings, bolster
their emergency kits and expand their work to preserve
Māori culture, Minister for Māori Development Nanaia
Mahuta said.
The Government has invested an extra $12 million over four years to expand the Oranga Marae programme, as it supports whānau-led development of marae.
Minister Mahuta made the announcement alongside Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Rehua Marae in Christchurch today, a marae well-known for its key role in supporting Cantabrians following the Christchurch earthquakes.
The investment will:
- Expand the existing Oranga Marae
programme for marae development
- Provide additional
support for marae to be prepared for disaster and other
emergency responses
- Provide support for marae
environmental responses such as zero waste goals
“Marae are centres of Māori identity, language, traditional knowledge and whānau wellbeing,” Nanaia Mahuta said.
“My focus as Minister for Māori Development is whānau-led initiatives to develop and strengthen their connections to their heritage, identity, mātauranga, and building wider social and community wellbeing and resilience.
“These initiatives will strengthen whānau and communities, not only by investing in the physical restoration and revitalisation of marae buildings but also the protection, preservation and future sustainability of the culture and heritage of marae.”
“It means more opportunities for the use of te
reo Māori and engagement with te ao Māori across the
country, as part of the progress of Maihi
Karauna.”
Marae around the country also often play a
vital role in supporting communities all over Aotearoa
during times of emergency.
For example, Whakatū Marae in Nelson opened the doors to everyone needing support, shelter or a sanctuary during the Nelson Fires earlier this year.
“The Government backs strong and healthy communities. Whānau are the fundamental building blocks of Māori society. If whānau thrive so will hapū, iwi, Māori and communities throughout Aotearoa,” Nanaia Mahuta said.
For more information go to tpk.nz/marae
• In Budget 2017, Te
Puni Kōkiri secured $10 million over four years to improve
and restore marae infrastructure and cultural
capability.
• Oranga Marae was officially launched in
May 2018.
• Whānau, hapū, and iwi can access funds
through one system, with support from advisors where
needed.
• The Oranga Marae programme is a joint
initiative between Te Puni Kōkiri and the Department of
Internal Affairs (on behalf of the Lottery Grants Board)
that delivers support, advice and investment for marae. This
may include building projects and activities to revitalise
cultural knowledge, build marae resilience and preparedness
in an emergency.
ends