Te Marae o Hine springs into life
A change of season has heralded a change in society as Palmerston North increasingly incorporates te reo into the heart of the city.
With the blessing of Rangita¯ne, Stuff began a campaign in spring to revitalise Te Marae o Hine in the hearts and minds of Papaioea’s community, and as summer moves into full swing, the fruit of the work is shining through.
The Ma¯ori name for The Square, Te Marae o Hine, was founded on a kaupapa (principle) of community and peace between Ma¯ori and Pa¯keha¯ in Papaioea and the surrounding rohe (area) in 1878. However, that was soon forgotten by mainstream society.
But 142 years later the Palmerston North City Council, organisations, events such as Diwali and even Google Maps have taken on the tokaha (gift) with ease.
Wiremu Kingi Te Awe Awe, mokopuna of Rangita¯ne chief Te Peeti Te Awe Awe, said he had noticed changes in the council, police, newspapers, promotional messaging and, most importantly, in people’s speech.
‘‘The circles I’m running in, they’re saying it instead of The Square. They’ll get used to it. It’ll just be normal.
‘‘What I love hearing is that when people say The Square they correct themselves to Te Marae o Hine.’’
It’s a small step, but has great significance in furthering the kaupapa of Te Peeti working alongside Ma¯ori and Pa¯keha¯ to establish a bicultural Papaioea, which has become a multicultural city.
Warren Warbrick of Rangita¯ne was happy the community had taken on the name so readily.
‘‘It’s about Rangita¯ne as a whole. It’s about Nga¯ti Raukawa. It’s about our community at the time when the name was given, and now that we’ve come to a modern context our community has grown and changed, and the kaupapa is there to embrace all people.’’
Anita Naran, president of the Central Districts Indian Association, said the community was blessed to have a space where all cultures could come together and acknowledge their heritage. ‘‘Diwali in The Square gives our association and all the other Indian groups an opportunity to showcase our culture and share our celebrations, and to have Te Marae o Hine included in the title reinforces that Palmerston North is a diverse city, and we celebrate all cultures.’’
Manawatu¯’s voice for The Breeze, Chris ‘‘Burnzee’’ Burns, can be heard on the airwaves referencing Te Marae o Hine for events coming up in the community.
‘‘I think it’s cool,’’ Burns said. ‘‘Midcentral Health are calling it that as well. I thought it was probably time to start too.
Midcentral made a commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi inside and outside the hospital, said general manager hauora Ma¯ori Tracee Te Huia.
‘‘We aim to keep abreast of what’s happening in our communities, and recognised the Palmerston North City Council and Manawatu¯ Standard’s use of Te Marae o Hine-the Square, so it was an obvious change for us, as well.’’