Haititaimarangai Marae DIY

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Our young women were to the fore not only in the wharekai
but outside doing the gardens.

The TV Programme was the last of this AIA Marae DIY Series and was on Wednesday 14th August 2013. By now this photograph taken from a cherry picker by a brave and skilled photographer is at least world famous in Patia O Matariki where our now beautiful marae is situated. As the kaumatua involved I have many thoughts and memories. In 1979-80 during the setting up of the Haititaimarangai Ahu Whenua Trust the vision was actually of a new marae at the old Rangiawhia school site at the end of Whatuwhiwhi Rd that goes past this marae. However the money reeceived from the logs didnot stretch to a deposit for a new marae and so with the Marae Trustees and Ngati Kahu Ahuwhenua Trust we all three combined financially ($75K) to fund the four days with the assistance of AIA sponsors, and for our marae project manager Shane Horan completing a lot of work prior to the DIY, we were able to get it done, plus Shane and the group completed the flooring and bits and pieces left over. For our marae this has to be the greatest event since the whare was shifted to Patia from Waiari in 1952.

It wasn't all work; the visionaries needed time
to review progress.

We even managed an ANZAC Service on the second day of the DIY to honour those from this marae who served in the wars of WW1, WW2, Korea, Malaya-Borneo, Vietnam and peace keeping operations in the Middle East. A flag pole was erected that night and a flag was found by Timoti Hetaraka from somewhere. A former Commanding Officer Rev. Stanley Pilbrow officiated with the Army Engineers who took part in the DIY as the Guard of Honour. Sgnt Horiana Rupapera served in the 28 Maori Battalion in WW2. This marae has a long list of soldiers who served.



In WW1 these were; Hamuera Rupapera: Peretiti Hetaraka Heta:         Hurae Hetaraka; Ihaka Hopa or Hopa Riwhi:
WW2: Horiana Rupapera, Mu Hetaraka, Raniera Matiu, and Ranga Raharuhi who was killed in action in Crete.

Note: I have also taken these names from the Rangiawhia Native School records where these soldiers went to school.

Other Highlights: All the mahi done by the kai mahi who in such a short time accomplished so much; the arrival of the waka arranged by Niki Tauhara and the Tohunga Tauira to name and dedicate the taonga and waha roa, Te Ori Paki and his TV crew, our Whaea Pere, Roharia, Paula, and Meri whose presense gave so much to the mana of the DIY endeavour, and so much more. There's too many to give accolades to but all those from outside the hou kainga who came from a long way to contribute, Awhi the chief chef who in difficult circumstances kept the kai coming, Richard and all his earth movers, Sana and her ladscaping skills, and if nobody minds I pay speciaL tribute to Wyvern.

Nga mihi kia koutou katoa i mauria mai o kaha, o hiahia, o ngakaunui me o ringaringa ki tenei mahi.

Tihei Mauriora.