In a bid to make the pā vibrant again, a new six home social housing development, infrastructure support and rebuild of the marae has started at Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae, 10km east of Carterton.
Published: Thursday, 16 November 2017 | Rāpare, 16 Whiringa ā-rangi, 2017
With the support of $1.6 million from the Māori Housing Network led by Te Puni Kōkiri, Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae aims to provide affordable housing as well as advance the aspirations of the community.
Photo courtesy of Henare Manaena.
Marae spokesperson, Henare Manaena (Ngāi Tahu (Te Waipounamu) Tahu Makakanui (Takapau), and Kahukuraawhitea) said the marae rebuild and new homes is not only to provide affordable housing for whānau but is also in an effort to recreate what was once a vibrant pā community.
“This will be one of the first new papakāinga in the Wairarapa for many years,” he says. “Providing marae-based homes offers an opportunity to reconnect our mokopuna and whānau to their whenua, whakapapa and learning about who they are and where they come from.”
“We are thrilled to see the homes finally being built and has been a long aspiration for our kuia, kaumātua and whānau of Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae.”
The rebuild of the marae is at the planning stage.
The marae are discussing the ongoing maintenance and management of the homes including how best to structure the management group.
The six homes are due to be completed by April 2018.