The Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust invited Te Puni Kōkiri Waikato to present at the Marae Seminar Series.

Held at Hopuhopu and targeting marae, the seminars covered the process of planning and development and introduced marae representatives to a range of organisations that could provide support.

Te Puni Kōkiri presented alongside other support agencies including Trust Waikato, Department of Internal Affairs, and ASB Community Trust.

Keynote speaker Wharehuia Milroy spoke about the importance of te reo Māori and succession planning when planning any marae development.

Te Puni Kōkiri Waikato Regional Director, Gail Campbell, encouraged marae to contact Te Puni Kōkiri when considering development projects that would build skills and enhance capacity of marae whānau, such as strengthening te reo Māori and tikanga.

Michelle Baker, Account Manager for Te Puni Kōkiri’s Māori Business Facilitation Service, presented an update on Rugby World Cup activities planned for the region, as well as discussed the opportunities for marae involvement.

Gail and Michelle also presented on Te Puni Kōkiri’s mahi alongside Qualmark to establish the marae grading. Marae representatives were encouraged to consider commercial and business opportunities for their marae that might support financial independence.