Reopening of marae celebrated

A ‘‘first of its kind’’ redeveloped marae in Southland will be a kainga for all the community — not only Maori, its chairman says.

After about one year since the laying of the stone, the Murihiku Marae was reopened yesterday with a po¯whiri to celebrate such a milestone.

The $15 million redevelopment was aimed to be a community hub and has a tohora¯ (whale) shape with educational spaces, offices, meeting rooms, dining area and housing for kaumata in the site.

Waiho¯pai Ru¯naka chairman Cyril Gilroy said the next steps of the expansion would also include a medical space and a place for youth.

‘‘[I want] our wha¯nau and the wider community to view the marae as a safe place — where all feel warmly welcomed.’’

The redevelopment was also the ‘‘first of its kind’’ to incorporate a triple netzero approach — it was designed to maximise natural light, has solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and the stormwater treatment was facilitated by wetlands.

Mr Gilroy said he was very proud of what the team had built.

‘‘Murihiku Marae is an investment for the future that honours our past while meeting our present needs. It is made to work and last.

‘‘It can be done and as an iwi, we need to lead the way.’’

Finance Minister Grant Robertson was pleased to be part of the celebration.

He was at the marae about two years ago to announce a $9 million investment by the Government in the project.

‘‘It is incredible. I think this is the most amazing facility.

‘‘It is really great to have an occasion where you go from the announcement of the funding all the way through [to] the fruition.’’

He said the redevelopment brought together all the things the runaka envisaged.

‘‘It is an exciting day.

‘‘The outcome is probably more than we though we would get. It is amazing.’’

The redevelopment would also enable Waiho¯pai Ru¯naka to expand its community support services, operating as a Civil Defence emergency centre, and provide a hub for educational initiatives in Southland.