Marae Cluster Project

SUMMARY “Kia mau ki te tokanga nui a noho”

The Marae Cluster project is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Provincial Growth Fund which aims to lift productivity potential in Aotearoa provinces.

The project aims to achieve the following objectives:

a Immediate redeployment of vulnerable workers impacted by COVID-19

b Provide a programme of work for local tradesmen and contractors. c An opportunity to target Māori, Pasifika and other vulnerable workers that are not able to secure contracts through more substantial infrastructure project;

d Give public confidence that renewed economic activity is underway through targeting regional assets that are highly visible to the community; and

e Provide employment for ngā uri o Ngāti Awa.

This project sets out the pathway to upskill and develop our Kaimahi while also renovating, and restoring our marae, which are taonga of our hapū.

• Educational & Employment

THE IMPACTS FROM THIS PROJECT

All kaimahi have been exposed to new learnings and gained work experience under the guidance of a Skills Lead and contractors. Work experience has included concreting, carpentry, painting and supporting contractors where possible. Contractors are looking beyond the project and indicated the potential to offer fulltime employment opportunities to Kaimaihi that demonstrate potential at the completion of this project. The project has been able to fully support Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa registered pakihi. • Cultural

The cultural impacts of this project have been significant, providing a safe and familiar working environment has allowed Kaimahi to flourish demonstrating great work ethic, the ability to learn new tasks quickly and has instilled a positive attitude to mahi, whānau, Hapū and Iwi. The project has given Kaimaihi a greater sense of belonging, they are more connected and feel proud of the transformation they are contributing to in the development and restoration of their respective Marae. • Whānau / Community Whakawhānaungatanga, kotahitanga and, manaakitanga has been demonstrated across the Marae cluster with multiple working bees undertaken to support individual projects. Whānau, hapū and community have collaborated to tautoko the work that is happening at the marae. For the wider community the renovations and improvements are highly visible and provide positive confidence of renewed economic activity.

TRAINING

We have teamed up with Vertical Horizonz New Zealand to upskill the Kaimahi working across the Marae Cluster project. Through this partnership, 27 Kaimahi have completed a Site Safe training workshop gaining a passport recognized by NZ construction sites; 10 Kaimahi have gained their Certificate in Pre-Trade Construction (level 3) which includes manual handling, first aid, forklift, scaffolding, and working at heights. These qualifications have built the capacity and capability of our Kaimahi.

WORDS FROM OUR KAIMAHI

“I feel very privileged to lead this once in a lifetime opportunity on behalf of our whānau and future generations, to be able to fulfil some of our long term hapū goals, to enable better access, to beautify and enhance the mana and mauri of our Marae. I am a firm believer that our Marae have a big role in terms of growing and fostering our whānau and this project has given us the unique opportunity to do so” -Larni Keylar (Work Site Manager for Tuariki Marae) “Our working group is flexible and consists of diverse range of trades skills and experience. Working on our marae has instilled a profound feeling of pride in us. It’s rewarding to know that the work we conducted on our marae contributes to the hapū journey to being a cohesive hapū with a functional marae complex.” – Tawera Simpson-Rangi (General Labourer for Te Rangihouhiri II Marae) MARAE INCLUDED

• Ruaihona Marae • Te Hokowhitu a Tū Marae

• Te Pahou / Rangataua Marae • Te Rangihouhiri II Marae • Te Rewatū Marae

• Tuariki Marae • Tuteao Marae • Uiraroa Marae • Pukeko Marae • Pupuaruhe Marae • Puawairua Marae • Motiti Island Marae

STATISTIC

This project sets out the pathway to upskill and develop our Kaimahi while also renovating, and restoring our marae, which are taonga of our hapū.

• 12 Ngāti Awa Marae included • 45 locals employed • 86.36% employees affiliated to Ngāti Awa • 82% employee’s male / 18% employees female • 6 people employed that were impacted by the first COVID-19 lockdown • 10 kaimahi upskilled with a certificate in pre trade construction training • 27 kaimahi upskilled with a Site Safe Passport • 19 Māori owned pakihi engaged in marae works • 25 local businesses engaged in marae works • 10 kaimahi under 25

MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION, AND EMPLOYMENT

We have had two different contract managers assigned to this project through the duration. The relationship with MBIE has been very good, with Carol Ngawati completing two visits of the marae throughout her time as current contract manager. One visit in July and the second in November which allowed her to see the progress and changes in each project. It has been great for her to visualise the work on hand, meet the kaimahi, and see for herself the type of renovation issues marae has been dealing with throughout this project.

The new contingency and repurposing application process that MBIE implemented in June 2021 has proven to be time consuming and has caused delays in progress. COVID-19

COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown has impacted some marae completion timelines. In addition, the national building material shortage has caused concern.

To mitigate risks, the marae cluster was encouraged to confirm material orders with suppliers, eliminating the potential for incurring increased costs, in addition, when the district returned to L2 restrictions, suppliers were able to deliver back-ordered goods enabling our marae projects to commence work with all building supplies on hand. Other concerns for the organisation included lost time and continuing the payment of wages to employees. With the guidance of MBIE and the Finance Team, the Government wage subsidy programme provided the financial security needed at that time. Time extensions have been approved for projects that clearly demonstrated the need, as well as requests for additional staff to further support project completions within their agreed timeframes.

CONCLUSION

In March 2021 the first marae commenced the renovation work and all 12 marae have continued to progress. Most marae are on track to conclude their renovation works before December 17, 2021, with the exclusion of Rangataua Marae who is due to fully complete in January 2022 and Puawairua Marae with their end date in June 2022.

We look forward to celebrating the re-opening of these taonga.