TE KOTAHITANGA O TE IWI O NGATI WEHIWEHI

HUI-A-TAU : MARAE COMMITTEE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

WEHIWEHI PA, MANAKAU, HOROWHENUA

TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2001, 7.30 PM

TUMUAKI/CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Tuatahi, he mihi nui ki Te Kaihanga o Nga Mea Katoa, tena ra koe e Te Matua!

Tuarua, he whakaaro maumahara tenei ki nga mate katoa, haere koutou, haere!

Tuatoru, he mihi mahana ano ki nga kanohi ora, tena tatou katoa!

Tuawha, he mihi miharo ki nga ahuatanga o te wa nei! Tu mai ra! Tu mai ra!

Tuarima, tena koutou katoa e te whanau whanui o Ngati Wehiwehi, otira ki nga waihotanga, ki nga mokopuna o Wehiwehi raua ko Patiharuru hoki!

Tihewa mauri mate! As I review the period that has elapsed since the last marae AGM held in the millennium, on 7 November 2000, I wish to acknowledge the passing on of many of our loved ones associated with our marae and with the wider hapu/iwi community. I would also like to acknowledge the many thousands of lives that were lost in the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA.

Tihewa mauri ora! Once again, I acknowledge the inspiration, support and strength of our kuia and kaumatua and the tireless and hard work efforts of our whanau members, whether the work is concerned with marae related obligations, hui or other mahi such as work on the various committees and companies of Te Runanga o Raukawa, Te Wananga o Raukawa, Raukawa Marae Trustees and Raukawa Marae District Council. The very existence and mana of the marae is heavily dependent on the voluntary work of whanau both within the marae, to the farest reaches of the rohe and beyond!

As I look back over the last year, some of the initiatives or events that have taken place at the marae, have included :

Commencement of full-time te reo Maori classes from the marae, by tutor Riro Poiki, utilising the Ataarangi rakau method – “Paratawhiti” is the name of the te reo roopu, who come under the administrative requirements of Te Wananga o Awanuiarangi. Classes are open to anyone who enrols;
Successful recommencement of te reo night classes, targeting Wehiwehi whanau, by Riro;
Whaikorero and tikanga sessions by Sean Ogden;
Sub-committee work on a development plan for the marae;
On-going fundraising activities through the Key West Tavern, Levin, and Pub Charity, with funds targeting a new ablution block and revamped wharekai/kauta;
Ordination of Rev. George Ransfield and gifting of hahi “taonga” previously held by Rev. Rangi Ransfield;
Strong support to Otaki hapu and Te Runanga o Raukawa, by both written and verbal submissions, against the granting of a resource consent to the Kapiti Coast District Council, to build a pipeline from Otaki river to supply water to other Kapiti destinations – thankfully the hearings by Commissioners,’ declined to approve the application and the KCDC subsequently resolved not to lodge an appeal with the Environment Court;
Successful initiation by Ngati Wehiwehi and Ngati Tukorehe, of a “Kaihoe Waka” course, under the umbrella of Patumakuku training provider;
Agreement for whanau to put up in the tupuna whare, photographs of loved ones who have passed on;
Preparations for a “Food Festival” “KaiFest” fundraising activity to be held from the marae on 13 October 2001;
Nomination of various Wehiwehi whanau to local government or health board elected positions.

I apologise if I have missed out any other events of significance to marae whanau.

As we move closer towards the year 2002, my wishes for the marae are that we :

Continue to seek more regular income earning opportunities;

Finalise the present development plan for the whole pa – starting with the front access-way because of road safety concerns;

Establish the feasibility of a pilot Marae Based Studies programme on the marae;

Strongly support the rebuilding of Rangiatea wharekarakia, because of the involvement of our tupuna, when the original church was built;

Continue to build on and support the marae web home page, as a means of modern communication with whanau, both within and beyond the shores of Aotearoa!

Anei te tohu nei o

Te Hope Huia Hakaraia