Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae, Christchurch
Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae is a large marae in the Christchurch suburb of Bromley. The marae opened in May 1990 and is administered by Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka, a local pan-tribal Urban Māori authority.
The site was set aside by the Christchurch City Council for use as a marae in 1977.[1] The location was part of Cuthbert's Green park. The planned marae triggered 180 complaints from nearby residents, but the marae project went ahead.[2] The site is immediately adjacent to the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Construction of the marae began in 1981.[1] During the construction the project ran out of money, and ownership of the land was transferred to the New Zealand Government.[1]
One of the earliest installations at the marae was the carved entrance gateway, titled Te Amorangi, unveiled in late 1982. The carving depicts William Hobson and a Māori chief signing the Treaty of Waitangi, as a symbol of the coming-together of Pākehā and Māori. The lone chief is symbolic of the various Ngāi Tahu rangatira (chief) that signed the treaty on behalf of their iwi.[1]
The main wharenui of the marae is named Aoraki, in reference to the Māori creation myth of the South Island.[1] It is the largest wharenui of its kind in New Zealand.[1][2] The construction utilised local unemployed people as labourers, to give opportunities to the community.[2] One of the wall carvings depicts explorer James Cook, to represent that Pākehā are also welcome.[2]
The marae was officially opened in 1990 during a ceremony by Minister of Māori Affairs Koro Wētere.[2]
In the aftermath of the 2010 Christchurch earthquake, the marae hosted 26 government agencies to make them accessible to the community.[3] This included hosting a day-to-day criminal court,[4] an initiative that was praised by the New Zealand Law Society.[5]
In 2018, a social housing facility opened on the grounds of the marae.[6]
The marae hosted a walk-in vaccination clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] In 2021 a medical centre opened at the marae, providing low-cost access to general practitioners.[8]
References
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Christchurch City Council, "Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae", Christchurch City Council Libraries, archived from the original on 21 February 2024, retrieved 13 August 2024
Citations
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Christchurch City Council.
- ^ a b c d e "Marae of the South Island", RNZ, 22 March 2017, archived from the original on 1 September 2024, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ "New emergency pods in marae to help prepare for future natural disasters in South Island", RNZ News, 19 December 2023, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ Brown, Giles (3 April 2011), "Marae to host court hearings", Stuff, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ Cairns, Lois (18 June 2011), "Marae court respected by local offenders", Stuff, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ "Chch marae's social housing opens after 7 years", RNZ, 2 March 2018, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ Kenny, Jake (23 January 2022), "Covid-19: Where to get a walk-in booster in Canterbury", Stuff, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ Broughton, Cate (24 September 2021), "Health provider falls out with iwi over medical centre plan at marae", Stuff, retrieved 5 September 2024
External links
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