Otaua

Te Ao Hou, September 1966, Page 49

Otaua The opening the Otaua Play Centre in early April by Mr A. Grey, of the Maori Edu- The opening of the Otaua Play Centre in early April by Mr A. Grey, of the Maori Education Foundation, was the culmination of a year's work by a few families in a small community. At this settlement in East Hokianga, both children and parents are benefiting from the establishment of the Play Centre, all agreeing that the work involved has enriched their lives immeasurably. Only a year has elapsed since 17 people attended the inaugural meeting held at the

marae. The headmaster of the local school, Mr M. Whaanga, who with his wife Moana (a former Miss New Zealand) has since left New Zealand to attend the University of Hawaii, explained the aims and objects of play centres, offering to assist in evry way. Mrs M. Rata was elected Patroness, the President was Mr T. Waetford, who later resigned and was replaced by Mr G. Hiku, and Mrs Whaanga became Secretary. A committee of managements and four Supervisors were also elected. A light luncheon was sold, and with a donation from Mr and Mrs W. Kopu, funds were established at £6. Some members later heard addresses by Mr Ball and Mr Grey at a Maori Education Foundation meeting at Kaikohe, and a Play Centre meeting at Whirinaki gave further ideas to the new committee. Each home was asked to donate £5 towards the establishment of the Otaua Centre. The old school manual block, which had been purchased by the Maori Committee, was leased to the Play Centre, and ‘working bees’ soon had the building neat and tidy. Mother-helpers attended a training course Mrs M. Tane received their certificates at a at Te Ahu Ahu, and later Mrs M. Rogers and Play Centre convention at the Otiria marae. The mid-Northland area convention at Kaikohe provided the Otaua families with further inspiration. As a result of a visit from Mrs R. Ruhe, an all-out effort was made to equip the Otaua Centre with toys, and the fund-raising campaign continued. When Mr and Mrs Whaanga announced their impending departure, the committee accepted their resignation with regret, as the coupled had worked very hard for the Centre. Wr Whaanga stressed that as the parents were all so keen on their new venture, it was sure to succeed. Mrs M. Tane replaced Mrs Whaanga as Secretary, and the new headmaster and his wife, Mr and Mrs L. McMillan, expressed their desire to continue the good work of the Whaangas. In February this year, the committee had almost £77 on hand, a very commendable effort by a small community.