Nanaia Mahuta congratulates Parewahawaha Marae for great leadership

Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Housing Network has invested $1.851m into the community in the past three years to repair 17 whares which included kaumātua flats, whānau homes and the development of a four home papakāinga.

The Minister for Māori Development Hon Nanaia Mahuta has congratulated Parewahawaha Marae for the outstanding leadership it has shown rebuilding the local community in Bulls.

Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Housing Network has invested $1.851m into the community in the past three years to repair 17 whares which included kaumātua flats, whānau homes and the development of a four home papakāinga.

"Like many communities, Ngāti Parewahawaha is taking a broader approach to whānau-led community development," says Hon Nanaia Mahuta.

"The rōpū managing these projects are working with whānau around rebuilding their marae community. They are also giving whānau the opportunity to gain skills such as basic building maintenance skills to support work on whānau homes into the future.

"More than fifty years ago Ngāti Parewahawaha established the marae and now the next generation is taking on leadership roles to continue to support the marae and reinvigorate the community.

"The Richardson whānau are now continuing their Dad's dream to have a thriving community centred on Parewahawaha marae, by establishing a papakāinga."

Pita Richardson was the last of the original trustees and one of the last descendants to hold continuous ahi kaa for the whenua.

"He was one of the founding trustees involved in the building of the marae 50 years ago and now his tamariki and mokopuna keep the paepae warm and are returning to live in the area.

"Heneti Hammond, daughter of one of the founding trustees, now lives in the flats that are located next door to the marae and is the kaikaranga for the marae. She says it's 'awesome' that the repairs have reignited the community spirit," says Nanaia Mahuta.

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)