LARGE MARAE PLANNED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29382, 8 December 1960, Page 24

LARGE MARAE PLANNED

Centre For Auckland

Maoris

“The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, December 7,

A large marae to serve as a cultural centre for the entire Auckland Maori population may shortly he built at New Lynn. A trust fund for the marae has already been established. The head trustee is Mr A. Awatere, the Auckland district Maori welfare officer.

A meeting of representatives from Maori tribal and other organisations was held at St Thomas’s hall. The chairman was Mr R. Stirling, head of the organising committee of the project.

He asked for a submergence of differences and sectional interests so that a marae common to the entire Maori population of the city could be established. A site of four and a half acres was available north of Golf road. .“We on the committee have already taxed ourselves £6 for each married couple.” he said. ‘lf all the 15,000 Maoris in Auckland were prepared to do as much, we could have the building up tomorrow.”

The Government might grant a subsidy, but only if the Maoris in Auckland showed they were prepared to help themselves. During discussion it was emphasised that the Maori population in _ Auckland was increasing rapidly and that a common marae was urgently needed if Maori communal customs were to be maintained.