Marae suffer as leadership fades
Few young people stepping up to fill cultural gaps
Marae nationwide are in the grips of a leadership crisis. As Maori elders die there are few Maori who can whaikorero (make a formal speech) rising to fill the gaps.
Leaders put this down to their whanau moving away for jobs and a disconnection with the culture and language.
Maori speakers were the backbone of marae, Te Tuinga Whanau Social Services director Tommy Wilson said. There were only two speakers left on Wilson’s marae, Tutereinga in Te Puna.
“Unfortunately we have this time frame and the clock is ticking where our elder people are getting older and passing away and there is no replacement. There is no one coming off the bench to sub on to the paepae (speaking platform).
“Without a speaker and without a paepae you actually don’t have a marae.”
More effort needed to be put into normalising te reo and putting resources into the country’s 1063 marae, he said.
Every marae was worried about this issue, Te Puea marae chairman Hurimoana Dennis said.
In a 2009 study by Maori public policy agency Te Puni Kokiri, about 30 per cent of marae reported they did not have sufficient speakers.
Running the marae — which acts as an events venue, social service, full catering service and community hall — can be as challenging as running a big business.
About 30 people volunteer their time to keep Te Puea marae ticking over.
Between holding down a job, and fulfilling commitments to family and friend, some youth struggled to spend
Unfortunately we have this time frame and the clock is ticking where our elder people are getting older and passing away and there is no replacement. Tommy Wilson
the time needed to learn. But it was on the marae, their “university of learning”, that youth could see their elders in action, Dennis said.
“The marae always needs to be the starting place from a Maori perspective . . . They need to be in a position they can participate and communicate and take up opportunities when they are given and learn from them at the marae.
“Leadership is about being able to encourage others to follow. That’s a lot of trust and confidence.
“[The marae] is nothing without the people.”
Pensioner Len Neho took up the maintenance at Ngai Tupoto Marae in the Hokianga aged 71 after the last caretaker passed away. Now 74, he’s worried who will pick up the job next.
“We’re pretty short. Our old people are going into the next life and there’s nobody coming up behind. But we seem to manage. Touch wood.”
Kaumatua Huikakahu Kawe has run the programme Tangi Te Titi Tangi Te Kaka to mentor men on Maori protocol for seven years. Currently 15 men turn up from a group of 22 marae around Tauranga aged anywhere between 20 and 70. It’s a start, but not enough.
The issue was in part be- cause many Maori have lost their relationship with their marae, their culture and language, Kawe said.
“Everyone is staying at the back because they don’t feel equipped to carry out that important duty on the front.
“This is very, very challenging. This is something that’s nationwide.
“You can’t learn it [culture and tikanga] out of a school book.”
Young leader Maxine Graham, 34, who was elected to the board of trustees last year, advised other young Maori to get involved with their marae — but to also know their time and place. Her advice was to choose an area in the marae that suits your skill and interest, whether that be a speaking role, governance or the day-today running.
“One thing is consistency. I attended [committee] meetings for six months before I said anything in a meeting.
“Go pick up a tea towel, go clean the garden. Do those mahi. Know your time and your skill. ”
Former Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell’s goal was for a million people to speak te reo by 2040.
Te Ture mo te reo Maori Act was passed last year with the aim of addressing the revitalisation of te reo Maori. Budget 2017 secured $10 million for Marae Ora.
Flavell said the initiative aimed to strengthen whanau connection to their language, culture and history by supporting marae.
The fund will be available to marae via grants for things such as renovations or cultural work like the mentoring of youth and development in whaikorero and karanga.
Te Puni Kokiri will begin opening applications for the fund in January.