Iwa, was built and was used extensively until the last 1930s. At Kai Iwi a large marae had developed with its elaborately-carved meeting house, Kauwhata. This marae has remained a focal point for Ngati Kauwhata as a whole and its links with Aorangi are strong. The meeting house is a particularly fine example of Maori carving and decoration. Apart from its connection with Ngati Kauwhata, Aorangi has other close bonds with neighbouring maraes. Through marriage, strong affinities have developed with Te Hiri (Kakariki), Te Rangimarie (Rangiotu), and other Ngati Raukawa maraes. Such bonds are evident whenever functions are held at one or other of these maraes. The meeting house at Aorangi, Maniaihu, takes its name from an ancestor of the Ngati Kauwhata people. It is about 65 ft long and 25 ft wide. In contrast to the house at Kai Iwi, Maniaihu is not carved and lacks the ornate lines seen in many houses. The only decorations are the rafter patterns painted on the ceiling. These kowhaiwhai patterns were originally simple and repeated throughout the house. Recently some fresh patterns have been added and some of the old ones repainted. While the meeting house may not conform to the popular image of a Maori meeting house, its beauty lies in its quiet dignity and simple lines. The present committee has no plans to alter the basic character of Maniaihu and many feel that the addition of elaborate carvings would be inappropriate. Maintenance work has often been carried out over the years, but the house itself has been in constant use. Even during the recent renovations it has been available for various tribal functions. Immediate plans for the whole marae include landscaping and the planting of more native trees. A driveway and car park are to be constructed and a store room is being built. The store room is a scaled-down version of the meeting house and may include a den for the Aorangi Rovers Scout crew. A major project will be the erection of a new kitchen and ultimately a larger dining room. The old corrugated iron cook-house was demolished earlier this year and a new kitchen has become a matter of some urgency. The final cost of this block could be more than $15,000. Over the past two years more than $4,000 has been spent on the marae and many hours of voluntary labour have been given by friends. An ablution block was opened last year and fence lines cleared. A number of fund-raising efforts have been held, including golf tournaments, a film premiere, an open day on the marae, charity football matches and numerous raffles. As in the past the marae has received much help from Maori and Pakeha supporters. The last major fund-raising effort was the Polynesian festival, and money raised from this should be used to get the kitchen at least under way. The future of the Aorangi marae seems secure if the enthusiasm of the present committee is any guide. They feel the survival of Maori culture depends essentially on the preservation of the marae system since it is through the marae that a sense of continuity with the past is achieved. Priority use of the Aorangi marae will always be for times of bereavement when, as in the past, families will gather to farewell their loved ones. There will be other uses too, occasions when Maori and Pakeha can mingle together and learn from each other. For Ngati Kauwhata however, Maniaihu, along with its companion house Kauwhata, will continue to be the cultural and family centres and the sources of strength for the future uncertain years. S. A. Stewart.