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Te Ao Hou, June 1966, Page 54

the new building and led those present inside for a brief commemorative ceremony by Mr G. Hamlin. Mr Hamlin, a former teacher at Rakaunui, was the originator of the building project. The hall was constructed by the Rakaunui Tribal Committee under the chairmanship of Mr Larsen Karipa. A fine example of community effort, it was built at weekends over a period of only two months. The whare nui completed the marae, which is also equipped with dining room, cooking facilities, nursery, toilets and a small room used as a shop. The building, which measures 24 ft by 54 ft, is decorated at the entrance. This is the work of Mr Bill Karaka, a Mako Mako schoolteacher. It has been named Moana-Kahakora after the home of King Tawhiao, who once lived nearby. After the official opening, donations of mattresses, sheets and pillows were placed in the new building, where they will remain permanently for use by visitors. Official guests and the many visitors from distant parts were then feasted by their hosts in the decorated dining room. Before her visit to Rakaunui, Princess Piki had visited the maraes at Parawera and Orakau. She continued the annual pokai with further visits in the Kawhia area.