Te Tai Tonga MP pleased at progress in building of marae on the West Coast

Te Tai Tonga MP, Rahui Katene, is thrilled to learn that Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae has been successful in a lotteries application for marae redevelopment.

“Poutini Ngai Tahu have waited patiently, and worked relentlessly, to re-establish their traditional marae within their rohe” said Mrs Katene.

“For more than 140 years Te Tai o Poutini (the West Coast) was the only region within the greater Ngai Tahu rohe to be deprived of their marae”.

Both hapu, Kati Waewae and Kati Mahaki ki Makaawhio, lost their traditional marae in the height of the goldrush days, and the people have waited many generations to re-establish their key sites of cultural heritage, their meeting places, the place for the people to mourn, to celebrate, to be together”.

“The opening of Te Tauraka Waka a Maui marae at Mahitahi (Bruce Bay) in South Westland on 23 January 2005, was therefore a deeply significant occasion not only for Te Runanga o Makaawhio but for all Maori on the West Coast”.

“I am so pleased to learn that funding has now been secured for 'stage 1a' of the marae development for Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae” said Mrs Katene.

In February 2010 building will commence on the office complex, ablutions, small kitchen, wharemoe and the court yard.

“This will be great news for the people of Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae, the Papatipu Runanga, the people centred around Hokitika and the Arahura River”.

“I want to congratulate the people of Ngati Waewae for their initiative and commitment which has been recognised by the lotteries grant.

“Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu. Though small, it is indeed precious”.

[NB: Ngati Waewae, under the Ngai Tahu (Pounamu Vesting) Act, manage and allocate all pounamu resources in their area of authority].