Rangim¯arie centre relocated

A traditional Ma¯ ori arts and crafts centre has moved from its site of 40 years near Port Taranaki to a new home in Marfell.

Rangima¯ rie Ma¯ ori Arts and Crafts Centre previously leased a site in Centennial Drive through the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC), but Port Taranaki bought the land in 2013 and the group has been looking for a new site since 2014.

The centre’s buildings have now been lifted onto trucks and transported to the new home at Marfell Park.

Further work will be completed at the site before the centre, which teaches ra¯ranga (weaving) and bone and wood whakairo (carving), reopens in two to three months.

The relocation was supported by Port Taranaki, TSB Community Trust, Rangima¯ rie, New Plymouth District Council and community businesses.

Rangima¯ rie chairman and carver Barry Te Whatu said the support of the community had been crucial to the group’s relocation.

The move was an opportunity for the centre to become a community hub for Marfell and encourage a new generation to pick up Toi Ma¯ ori (Ma¯ ori art and knowledge transmission), he said.

‘‘The group has always been open to anyone from around the mountain.

‘‘It has never been specific to one hapu¯ or one iwi.’’

Te Whatu said membership was often intergenerational.

‘‘So it’s a legacy thing and we want that to continue in Marfell by building relationships with the schools and community groups, and showing there is value to what we do – long-term education, the arts and wairua.’’

The centre was started in 1975 when a group of women who wanted to learn to weave got together at Parihaka. In 1980 the group sourced the building, which was a Ha¯ wera High School’s art room.

A karakia, led by Reverend Albie Martin, was held at Marfell Park on Thursday before buildings were lowered into place.

Port Taranaki commercial manager Ross Dingle said Rangima¯ rie had made a long and significant contribution to the community and the port was pleased to be able to help the group continue that work.

Port Taranaki has no immediate plans to develop the former site on Centennial Drive, a spokesman said.

Two buildings from Rangima¯ rie were moved from their location near Port Taranaki to Marfell Park.

Rangima¯ rie Maori Arts and Crafts Centre chairman Barry Te Whatu, with New Plymouth Surfriders Club secretary Allen Pidwell, with a trophy carved for the Easter Masters surfing competition in 2018.