Haititaimarangai Marae DIY 24-27 April Part One

Wednesday 24: This day began with a powhiri for the DIY Marae-AIA people and a squad from the Royal Engineers who joined this and other DIYs in order to fullfill the kind of work experience not available during their courses. Karakia as per our marae tikanga began this endeavour and the mihi followed by myself. The manuwhiri which by then included Mangu Awarau from Ngai Takoto and Te Whanau Moana who began the reply. Then Te Ori Paki for the DIY Team replied. I had mentioned all his connections especially to Tainui and the Kingitanga; except Tuhoe. How could I have forgotten? Old age I suspect. The rakau was returned to us and Timoti Hetaraka did the honours. Our waiata and himene was so well sung by Kura Kaupapa O Rangiawhia tamariki tuakana. These are only words. I find it difficult to describe what to me was the most memorable powhiri I had ever experienced  at my home marae; and for once it had to be held outside on our little marae-a-tea. I was humbled and proud at the same time.

After some lengthy meetings to prepare so that everyone knew what to do, away the workers went and the ringa wera under the able leadership of Awhi Hetaraka in the kauta; a tent on the carpark prepared the first kai. The rest was a frenzy; heavy machinery, builders, labourers, landscapers, etc, etc. Down came the walls of the lean to, and  up went the framing, post diggers drilled and one could see where the new timber fences would go and the new waharoa which we never had before. And so it went; by 2pm or later' no one seemed interested in lunch but we had one and after that and another meal, the work went on until midnight. 

Thursday 25th ANZAC DAY: This was at 5.30am and the first one ever in my experience on this marae; although I do remember one held at the old Rangiawhia School but not at 5.30am! This was ably led by Rev and former Lt.Col. Stanley Pilbrow. Ven Timoti Flavell and ex-soldier Timoti Hetaraka also officiated. The army engineers stripped off their work gear and in full uniform acted as a guard of honour next to our new flagpole erected only the day before by Shane Horan our marae team chief for the whole project which he began at least six weeks before. Sgnt Timoti Hetaraka donated the NZ flag. This was another memorable Anzac Day in my experiemce. Our WW1 soldiers specifically from our rohe were Pvt. Hamuera Rupapera, Pvt. Hopa Riwhi (Tiini), Pvt. Hurae Hetaraka, Peretiti Hetaraka Heta, and Reihana Matiu. Hopa and Hurae died of trench disease and are buried over seas. Peretiti returned but died a year after his return and the others returned. Our WW2 28 Maori Battalion soldiers were; Pvt. Mu Hetaraka, Sgnt. Horiana Rupapera, Pvt. Eriha Davis (POW), Pvt. Patana Matiu and Pvt Ranga Raharuhi who was killed in action on Crete. 

Click To Enlarge:

After this it was back to work and the same frenzy of skilled construction took place right into the night; some say that work didn't stop for some until midnight. Work had started on the roof of both buildings. The new extention of the wharehui was wrapped in walls by the afternoon but nowhere near completed.