Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae Te whakahoutanga i ngā whare o Hurunui-o-Rangi Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae Trustees received word that we were eligible to apply for funding to upgrade, to repair, replace and to attend to those urgent maintenance matters left idle due to Covid-19 lockdown 2020. The renovation programme is managed by He Kàhui Wairarapa and on receipt of the project brief we didn’t have time to provide a deep assessment or a true evaluation as to what needed to be done. However, as resilient as we are, with the ability to adapt ourselves to rapid change, we simply got on with it and left the tricky bits for later. A proposed workplan was drawn up that listed those areas that needed immediate attention with other work listed in order of priority. April 2021, we hit the ground running with whànau and a team of young morman elders helping to uplift and to relocate the old mower shed in one single shift. With a touch up and a coat of paint, it will look like new again.
Early May, Albie Mathews and his Battli-Yon Builders got stuck into all the concrete work. Dug out the old and formed new walkways, along with improved disability ramps. A new concrete pad for the new mower and water pump shed completed that start up work. As work progressed elsewhere, Albie moved his team to Papawai Marae. May/June there was no work due to tradies being committed elsewhere. Those available couldn’t do anything without other subbies having to do their part first. As a result, the Marae remained an open worksite with no safety rails in place, open trenches and earth works waiting to be finished, with building material lying about the place ready for use. Therefore, the Marae was not available for overnight stays but was available for day use with warning restrictions in place.
Te Rangimarie Marae The recent COVID scare in Wellington involved Wairarapa and Kapiti Coast, so for a week we held our breath, cancelled our bookings, and being a church Marae, we prayed hard that nothing would eventuate. It didn’t but after a long time of being COVID free it was a scary reminder that it is still just out there. Our oldies have taken full advantage of the COVID vaccinations taking place in town so feel more secure now. We had two great nights of “Koha Chiro”, an initiative arranged by the local chiropractic clinic which encouraged people to come to the Marae and have some adjustments made. There were several tables and even a massage table, alongside a BBQ and tea/coffee. It was a great couple of nights with kids playing in the corner and the clinic staff helping everyone. It was a roaring success and hope we will get the opportunity to repeat it. Everything goes a bit quiet in winter but as other Wairarapa marae are having renovations we have been quite busy. Spring is just around the corner.
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We have some new technological gadgets about to be installed, as groups using the Marae need all the clever things nowadays like Zoom. Friday 6 August 2021 is installation day, so we’ll let you know next time how this is doing. We apologise for any inconvenience with closing our Marae and appreciate patience as we move forward with these developments. Ngà mihi Robin Irwin, Secretary
