Twelve days of Xmas: Gift will help iwi for many generations

Kahurangi Taylor with brother and sister Pounamu Peihopa and Maunga Peihopa from Ngati te Ata iwi and marae. Photo / Dean Purcell

A South Auckland marae is set to get a boost that will ultimately help to empower and inform its young people for generations to come.

The Te Ara Rangatu o te Iwi o Ngati Te Ata Waiohua Inc Society will receive $10,000 from Auckland Airport's 12 Days of Christmas campaign this year. A total of $120,000 has been given to a dozen Kiwi charities thanks to the airport's initiative.

The iwi, Ngati Te Ata, will use the money to build a youth hub at their marae in Waiuku, South Auckland.

Iwi member Kahurangi Taylor, who will be the new hub's programme development manager from next March, said they were excited to be able to create something that would target and help youth.

"We have a small building next to the marae that has been run-down for years. The roof leaks and the floorboards are rotten - but it's there. With this $10,000, we can now renovate it and create an office space that can really be utilised to help our whanau."

The hub will have information about educational and employment opportunities as well as counselling and support for the iwi's young people.

The hope is to one day expand the building to be able to offer a bigger youth space, where youngsters can hang out and play games and activities.

"We wanted to create something that would be around for years and would help not just the young people today, but for generations.

"We want youth to be able to come and find support if they're in trouble or come and see what opportunities are available out there for them," she said.

Auckland Airport spokeswoman Anna Cassels-Brown said the chance to create something for the iwi's young people was huge for them.

"It really is great to be able to support the education, skills development and employment of South Auckland's young, rural Maori with this gift."