Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Rātana Pā receive $20m from regional fund to upgrade their marae

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds will receive a $10.2 million grant for upgrades.

Upgrades are planned to two culturally significant sites, Rātana Pā and the Treaty Grounds, with just over $20 million being contributed from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.

At Rātana Pā near Whanganui, $10.1m was granted from the fund so two key buildings can be renovated on the site where thousands of people gather in January each year to celebrate the birthday of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, the founder of the Rātana Church.

A further $10.2m was granted for buildings to be repaired and upgraded at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Northland.

Omeka Reo Rātana band march away from the church service at Otamatea Marae, Maungatūroto. Photo / Supplied

“These are both nationally significant places, not just for Māori, but for many other Kiwis,” Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones said in a joint statement with Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka.

“Each year thousands of people gather at Rātana Pā to celebrate the birthday of Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana, a prophet and founder of the Rātana Church and religious movement. This is an extremely important day, not just for Rātana members, but marks the beginning of the new political year where politicians of all stripes give an accounting of their past mahi and over the year to come.”

The facilities have been deteriorating and until now repairs and maintenance have relied on volunteer resources, donations and a small income generated from annual events.

“Without the necessary upgrades, some buildings at Rātana Pā would need to be closed, which could leave the community unable to host annual Rātana celebrations or Rātana Church events – events that bring visitors to the region,” Jones said.

A total of $10.2m will go towards building repairs and upgrades at Waitangi Treaty Grounds. These will ensure the hosting of the annual Waitangi Day events at the grounds continues to be a successful and safe endeavour. More than 160,000 people visit the grounds, a significant site for all New Zealanders, each year.

“Both of these upgrades will mean safer conditions for visitors and residents and the preservation of our national history. These sites are an important part of our country’s story and ensuring they are well maintained means they will continue to be,” Potaka said.

“It is also timely given that just last week, on November 8, the Rātana movement marked the day when the Holy Spirit is said to have spoken to Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana.”

The projects the grant was contributing to would help ensure annual Waitangi Day events could continue to be hosted there, the ministers said.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says the January 25 Rātana celebrations have become a national “beginning of the new political year”. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Meanwhile the January 25 Rātana celebrations had become a national “beginning of the new political year”, Jones said: “Where politicians of all stripes give an accounting of their past mahi and over the year to come.”