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Auckland Council has allocated $33,000 to Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa as part of an effort to ensure that marae infrastructure, capability and support systems across Auckland are robust, efficient and resilient.
It was one of seven marae development projects to receive a total of $588,000 from council’s planning, environment and parks committee’s 2024/2025 Cultural Initiatives Fund.
“Safe, healthy and warm marae, and papakāinga housing are two of the 10 mana outcomes identified by Māori as key priorities in Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau, our Māori Outcomes Performance Framework,” said committee chair Richard Hills.
He said the grants would support mana whenua and mataawaka marae to manage costs associated with their growth and connections into their communities.
Independent Māori Statutory Board member Glenn Wilcox emphasised the value of the Cultural Initiatives Fund for communities.
“It’s great to see Auckland Council addressing a previously forgotten group of buildings and institutions that are particularly Aotearoa New Zealand and unique to our landscapes and communities. Marae are not just buildings – they’re about people and our relationships with those people.”
