$14.26m marae makeover

FUNDING FOR MARAE: Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones (pictured) and Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta yesterday announced a $96.5 million marae improvement funding package of which $14.26m will be spent upgrading up to 60 marae in the region. It is estimated this work will create nearly 400 jobs. Herald file picture

MARAE across Tairawhiti have been given “a once in a lifetime” Provincial Growth Fund $14.26 million investment to create jobs, ministers Shane Jones and Nanaia Mahuta announced yesterday.

“A total of 351 marae all over the country will receive much-needed upgrades while more than 3100 local jobs will be created through this investment, which totals $96.5 million,” Regional Economic Development Minister Mr Jones said.

Among those are 59 marae in Tairawhiti and Saint Mary’s Church in Tikitiki, which will receive a total of $14.26m, with the investment expected to create nearly 400 new jobs.

“It is not only the marae that will benefit. It also means close to $100 million will filter into communities through wages and into local businesses supplying building materials and fittings,” Mr Jones said.

The marae improvement funding is in addition to $12.4m announced last month for upgrades of town halls, war memorials and other community facilities around the country, and close to $10m for upgrades and renovations on Pasifika churches.

“This latest government investment in our economic recovery recognises the role of marae which, are often the heart of their communities and what they provide,” said Mr Jones.

“Marae are the centre of faith, sport and family and community gatherings. They often do double service as accommodation, conference centres, health and welfare hubs, and host some of our country’s most important events.

“This once-in-a-lifetime investment will help bring people back into work in the regions and at the same time upgrade this critical wellbeing infrastructure.

“I would also add that the overwhelmingly positive response from marae to our call for applications has been humbling,” Mr Jones said.

Maori Development Minister Ms Mahuta said marae were the focal point for Maori — for whanau, hapu and iwi.

“Marae reflect and represent Maori identity, language, matauranga (knowledge) and whanau wellbeing.

“These initiatives will strengthen whanau and communities, not only by investing in the physical restoration and revitalisation of marae buildings, but also through the protection and preservation of the culture and heritage of marae.

“This investment is a game-changer for these marae and their communities.

“Many marae are in desperate need of repairs and maintenance work, like other community facilities, and this funding is realistically the only financial investment some of them will ever receive,” said Ms Mahuta.

“In these uncertain times caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, now is the time to provide this vital funding.”

The types of upgrades funded include plumbing, carpentry, electrical, painting and landscaping.

In practical terms, this includes work on covered walkways and shelters, resealed carparks, installation of ramps and safety rails, the repair of water boilers, guttering and spouting, installation of fire sprinklers and the completion of carvings.

“The high number of marae applications we received not only met the criteria for the renovations programme but also met the Government’s

$100 million worker redeployment allocation so were funded from both,” Mr Jones said.