Kura next best thing to school, says iwi

The proposed Arataki kura will only add to the diversity of the Havelock North community says Waimarama marae chairman Bayden Barber. Photo / Warren Buckland

The proposed Arataki kura will only add to the diversity of the Havelock North community says Waimarama marae chairman Bayden Barber.

He said the Te Kura Kaupapa Mori o Te Wnanga o Whare Tapere o Takitimu has the full support of his iwi, because short of a school being established in Waimarama, which is a part of the iwi's 25-year plan put out in 2001, this is the "next best thing".

"For us it is about what can be gained, what can be added to the community rather than what can be taken away," he said.

"I honestly don't see many, if any, negative things to come out of this."

The small community boasts one of the Bay's most active Kohanga Reo, and Mr Barber said the Arataki kura offers parents an accessible educational pathway for their children.

"In the past people have had to move into town so their kids could go to a kura kaupapa," he said.

"Arataki is a one-bus-ride trip for our kids to be able to access the kura, so we strongly support it."

Mr Barber said not only is the Arataki area a good fit geographically, his iwi has a rich history with this area, known by its Maori name as Maungawharau.

"Traditionally Waimarama has a strong link with Havelock North," he said.

"Maungawharau was where the Wharewnanga was located and led by the Waimarama tohunga Tunui.

"We also have an old marae in Havelock North that was built by Waimaramara Chief Te Teira Tiakitai and still stands today."

In regards to the community backlash, Mr Barber said the process was frustrating because the school would be open to everyone.

"Kura kaupapa aren't just for Maori kids," he said.

"Pakeha have the opportunity of sending their kids along to learn the language

"To me it would add a whole lot of value to Havelock North community having Maori language and Maori education available."

Mr Barber, who also sits on the Hasting's District Council's (HDC) Rural Community Board and is a member of the HDC Maori Joint Committee, said the way forward for the community was for people to sit around the table together.

He said the project was in the early stages of planning so now was the time for the people to sit down with the school's board of trustees to discuss what the goals are and how kura kaupapa could contribute to the area's overall development.

"Without doing that I think there is a little bit of an overreaction to tell you the truth," he said.

"I think when people do that they come to some common understanding and fears dissipate, that would be my approach.

"But generally we are very excited about this whole development."