Te Puni Kōkiri has begun a project to support the development of marae throughout the country.

Te Puni Kōkiri’s Marae Development Project has produced a Marae Development Questionnaire to collect critical information from participating marae.

Marae trustees, with the assistance of Te Puni Kōkiri regional staff, have been invited to participate in the project by completing the questionnaire.

The questionnaire looks into everything from governance to how marae store, record and maintain their mātauranga and taonga, as well as the physical condition of their marae and associated buildings.

Participating marae will receive a customised Marae Feedback Report that records essential information about the cultural and physical facilities of the marae. They will also receive other useful resources for the marae’s benefit including the Te Puni Kōkiri Marae Governance and Management Toolkit.

Te Puni Kōkiri’s 2008-09 Statement of Intent specifies “supporting the development of Marae as community focal points” as one of its key outcomes.

While Te Puni Kōkiri is aware of the needs of some individual marae in the regions, Te Puni Kōkiri does not have up-to-date information about the condition or sustainability of marae nationally.

In addition to collecting information about the physical and cultural sustainability of the marae and its people, the results of the Marae Development Project will inform marae communities, as well as government agencies, about future marae development opportunities, resources and programmes.

For more information, contact your local Te Puni Kōkiri office.