Pipiwharauroa 'Te Marae ō Ōhako'
The Whare Kai following the karakia before it was relocated in 2012
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Photo by Pimia Hewitt
of them had had no previous knowledge of building even to the extent of not knowing how to hold and use a hammer properly. However they mastered their work to the finish and we acknowledge the commitment they gave to our marae, e mihi atu nei ki ā rātou.
After many hui [meetings] we decided on a new site for the kitchen and dining hall, although it was not favoured by all the majority got the vote. It was an awesome sight on the day to see our wharekai lifted up on big trucks then lowered back down onto its new piles, we were so Many alterations were made and the inside relieved. With the permission of our and outside of the dining hall and kitchen people the project was handed over were repainted. The PEP workers also to the insurers to complete. painted a large mural on the stage at one end of the dining hall depicting whānau On the 24 March 2013, it was rehomes and properties along Wharerāta opened in its new location away Road and up Papatū Road including a small from the river and closer to the road, rise on the corner where our cemetery is facing our whare tipuna, Te Kiko o Te and our tipuna and whānau lie. Rangi. Manawa o Te Rangi Waipara blessed the whare [dining room] with a karakia, marae chairman Stan Pardoe gave the history of Ōhako and whānau spoke about their involvement with the marae. There were a lot of fond memories, much reminiscing of old times, jokes about what they did, When the government ceased funding good and naughty, plenty of laughs P.E.P it was a great loss to our marae but and happy times. we were able to apply for funding from the Lotteries Board, Trusts and Te Puni I must acknowledge our many whānau Kōkiri. These kept our marae pumping who are always volunteering there with a new gas stove, huge chiller, electric time for our marae today, they are the stove, fridge and many other items that mokopuna of our tipuna who I have spoken of at the start of this kōrero. were so badly needed. Ōhako marae is gifted with whānau Tragically in October 2010 during heavy who are dedicated to supporting their rainfall the Te Ārai River flooded bringing marae and other marae around the with it massive debris from the hills. district “Me āwhina tētahi i tētahi – This caused the bank at the rear of the We should support one another” marae to cave in leaving our kitchen area hanging over the bank. It was such “Ko te marae he taonga tuku iho” a terrible sight for us all and we could not stop the tears from coming. All of our “The Marae is our treasure handed whānau were in shock with our marae in down by our ancestors” such a state. A mass karakia was held to bring us together to help heal and gather Nā Colleen Waingahuerangi Hawkins strength from one another. Included in the mural is a large painted plan of our marae standing proudly in the centre and all the homes adjacent to the marae that belong to the whānau. To the workers who completed this great work of art you have left your legacy in our marae for future generations.
The Whare Kai now on its new site today facing the Whare Nui
Te Whare nui
Photo by Dean Hawkins
Photo by Dean Hawkins
In the next edition of the Pīpīwharauroa we will have a feature of Ohako Marae's History by Stan Pardoe as presented at the re-opening.