Heart of marae back beating after fire

As the sun rose on a small Welcome Bay Maori community on Saturday - its light exposing powerful orange, red, black and white carvings - it signalled a new beginning for the people of Ngati Pukenga.
Up to 1000 people - including Maori King Tuheitia - packed the usually quiet and humble Te Whetu o te Rangi Marae to celebrate the opening of the new wharenui.
"It was a great celebration, we had a lot of positive feedback from the people that attended, from whanau and visitors," chair of Ngati Pukenga Rehua Smallman told the Bay of Plenty Times.
"It is a relief ... It's basically back to normal now and back on track in terms of having a marae that's functioning again."
In September 2006 the meeting house, set back off Welcome Bay Rd, was gutted and about 30 irreplaceable photographs - some up to 70 years old, tukutuku panels and kowhaiwhai were lost.
Police suspected arson, but no one has been charged over the incident.
In Maoridom the wharenui is the centre of the marae - a place for people to gather, tangi and hui to be held, and those who have passed to be remembered.
The people of Ngati Pukenga have for the past two years been lovingly rebuilding the heart of their proud people.
Hundreds banded together to help with construction during this period.
Many more gave generously to help with the estimated rebuild cost of $1.3 million - which includes a new toilet and shower block, meeting and storage room.
On Saturday, tamariki, whanau, supporters, kaumatua, pakeha and Maori, lined the benches set up to host the influx of people on the marae.
Among those who attended was King Tuheitia, who opened the wharenui, head of the Ratana church Harerangi Meihana, and MPs Simon Bridges, Te Ururoa Flavell and Mita Ririnui.
The official opening was held about 4am - during first light - while members of the public wanting to witness the historic moment were welcomed on about 11am.
Outside the meeting house, heads of iwi and King Tuheitia, sat at the front of the marae as the powerful building stood proud - with painted carvings of red, orange, black and white standing out.
"The carvings are awesome man," one person commented.
Eyes of some of the older people - who were most affected by the 2006 fire - were filled with tears as a feeling of relief nestled over the marae.
Mr Smallman estimated about 1000 people had come through the marae over the weekend.
"Most of the people are still relishing in the moment [because] a lot of the people, apart from those who did the mahi [work] inside the wharenui, obviously that was their first time inside the wharenui and they were blown away."
He said there was relief that the wharenui had been opened on the set date, as the rebuilding had been a challenge at times.
"It was an exercise in itself trying to keep the whanau focused and motivated.
"There were a few problems that arose and a few animated discussions, but we kept moving forward."