Orakei Marae Appeal 230 Maori and Pakeha Aucklanders gathered in the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday 12 September to hear the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Norman Kirk, officially launch the $300,000 Stage One Appeal for Orakei Marae. The Prime Minister stated that he felt sure that the importance of Orakei to Auckland and to New Zealand was such that it justified the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. M. Rata, taking Orakei Marae's case to Cabinet for special consideration. The Orakei Marae Development Council under the co-chairmanship of Dr Lindo Ferguson, Deputy Mayor of Auckland, and Mr Peter Rikys, is tremendously encouraged by this comment of the Prime Minister. Gifts announced on the launching night included a donation from the Prime Minister: $100; the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Dove-Myer Robinson: $300; Mr A. U. Wells: $1,000; Mr and Mrs Edgar Lewisham: $500; Mr H. Klisser: $1,000; Sir John Logan Campbell Trust Board: $5,000; Auckland Savings Bank: $10,000; Auckland City Council: $20,000, and several other major contributions from leading companies and citizens. Donations are being received now at the Auckland City Council's Office and it is hoped to commence early in the new year building the multi-purpose hall, once the meeting house now under construction is completed. The Mayor of Auckland, Sir Dove-Myer Robinson discusses a point of interest on the scale model of the development for Orakei Marae with the Prime Minister and Dr Lindo Ferguson, the co-chairman of the Orakei Marae Development Council.