Marae for Wellington

Te Ao Hou, October 1956, Page 13

Marae for Wellington The Wellington Maori community under the leadership of the Poneke Tribal Committee has for some time past been planning financial provision for the establishment of a marae. Announcing this, the chairman of the tribal committee, Mr P. P. Tahiwi, said that while Ngati Poneke hall had over the year, by permission of the Government, given good service, it was appreciated that the Maori people must make provision for the future as the present situation could not continue indefinitely. Wellington, as the natural centre for national conferences and meeting places for the tribes, occupied a unique position, and the city lacked for Maoris amenities that were available in even smaller centres, said Mr Tahiwi. Consideration had also to be given to the requirements of an increasing Maori population, and the tendency for young people to enter industry here, train as apprentices, or seek other educational advantages. The city required a permanent marae that would include a meeting-house, dining-room, lecture hall, study rooms, facilities for religious instruction, and accommodation for transients. There were no appropriate surroundings for the ceremonies following the death of a member of the community, said the chairman, and that was important from the Maori viewpoint.