‘Peacemaker’ role for overseer

Press, 1 July 1988, Page 1

‘Peacemaker’ role for overseer

By

KAY FORRESTER

The man appointed to oversee the completion of Nga Hau E Wha Marae sees his role as a peacemaker. Mr Bill Gillies, of Rapaki, near Lyttelton, is the project manager for the marae and will be responsible for the administration and employment of people to finish it.

His appointment was confirmed yesterday by the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Wetere. A spokeswoman for the Minister said Mr Gillies would take up his post in a few weeks after the initial “sorting out.” Mr Gillies, who retired last year from the Education Department, where he was an adviser on Maori and second-language learning, will be assisted by Mr Steve Paiwai, of the Christchurch office of the Maori Affairs Dejs partment. ■'* Mr Wetere’s office said Mr Paiwai would be an administrative officer.

Until the two men took up their roles, the Official Assignee, Mr Lynn Saunders, appointed liquidator for the marae this week, would be in sole charge there.

Mr Gillies said yesterday he was yet to receive a full briefing about his job. “It is to complete the marae. I am not sure yet exactly what that means — just the buildings or the surrounds," he said. Mr Gillies, who is a member of the Ngai Tahu tribe, said he

would begin his job from now, forgetting the disputes of the past. He has had no official position at the marae before, although “as tangata whenua I have been interested in the project."

He knew the leaders of the opposing factions in the marae dispute, Messrs Hori Brennan and Waha Stirling, and had spoken to them since his appointment.

“Both have said they are pleased the marae is going to be finished and both have said they will work with me. I am happy to work with both of them," Mr Gillies said. He saw his role as a peacemaker. “The parties involved are bound by the court order but I believe my job includes a fair amount of public relations. The Official Assignee’s job is the finances and others will be doing the physical work. My role is an overview,” he said. Mr Gillies did not expect many people to be employed at the marae.

“There are the carving and tukutuku to be finished and the buildings to be painted. I don’t think a large number will be needed for that,” he said.

He was confident that with everyone’s co-operation the marae could be completed peacefully. “I want to get on with the job. We need to set a timetable and stick to it,” he said.