ASPIRATIONS to restore a “national treasure” in Wairoa have been resurrected, with trustees asking for community input to help finance the major restoration project.
Trustees of Waihirere Marae near Wairoa’s North Clyde are breathing new life into long-held plans to raise money for a new roof and sprinkler system for the grand and elaborately carved Takitimu wharenui (meeting house).
The total restoration project is estimated to cost around $1.5 million. It includes building a new ablution block, and redeveloping the kitchen and dining hall, Tatau Tatau, which means “all of us” and signifies the place for all Kahungunu.
The project has been endorsed by Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana, who said it should be adopted as an iwi-wide initiative due to the significance of the complex to the iwi.
The large meeting house features elaborate carvings, kowhaiwhai and tukutuku panels, and was completed in 1938 as a memorial to Sir James Carroll who died in October 1926.
The building project was instigated and overseen by then Ngati Kahungunu leader Te Hata Tipoki.
Mr Tomoana described it as one of the classically-built houses in the Kahungunu area from the rebuilding era of the 1920s and ’30s.
Marae trustee Nikora Eaglesome has been liaising with Mr Tomoana on making the restoration project an iwi-wide initiative after a notice was sent out to whanau and iwi members last week asking people to contribute a $10 monthly donation towards the Takitimu Marae Restoration Project.
The letter is also circulating among the 48,000 registered Ngati Kahungunu iwi members.
Mr Eaglesome said the aspiration was always there to do up their “national treasure” but it was just putting it into motion.
“We know there are a lot of whanau who want to help but can’t, so we’re only asking for $2.50 a week each. We are here to do the physical work but just need help with the putea (money),” said Mr Eaglesome.
A website would eventually be established to track fundraising and keep people updated on the project and, although it was still early days, it was hoped they would see some results in the next few months, he said.
Wairoa District Council had previously granted $10,000 to the marae trust towards getting sprinklers installed to protect the carvings and tukutuku panels from potential fire.
The council had previously rejected a request from the marae in 2007 to help pay its $7342 insurance premium.
“It’s a national treasure and we will never get that style of carving back again. There are not many marae as extensively carved as this one,” said Mr Eaglesome.
The re-roofing and sprinkler installation had to be done in one job and the trust was yet to be able to get the remainder of the $100,000 they had been quoted for the job at the time.
“The sooner we get it done, the less it will cost us in the long run,” he said.
“I shudder to think what we would do if we lost it, so it’s imperative that we can have this new roof and sprinklers installed as soon as possible.”
Donations towards the Takitimu Marae Committee Restoration Project can be made to the project’s Westpac account 03 0785 0084549 025.
