Marae funding reflects vital role in the community
The sight of elders sitting and talking in a dining hall may seem very ordinary, but for Te Rere Marae Trustee Arihia Tuoro it’s an ongoing reminder of a job well done.
“Normally, mid-winter, everyone would be huddling near the kitchen for heat while they waited for their meal. That all changed from the first dinner we had after our wharekai make-over. It was awesome to look out and see all the oldies really enjoying themselves in a nice warm space.”
Heating was just one aspect of a major energy-related upgrade of the marae dining hall and wharenui supported by the Eastern Bay Energy Trust in 2016.
“Our first idea was that we needed a stove, so we approached the Trust and Rawinia and Kevin came for a site visit. Suddenly it was ‘what about the electrics; what’s your heating like; have you thought about a chiller?’ They put all this opportunity in front of us and we are so grateful,” Mrs Tuoro says.
For Kevin Hennessy – Opotiki’s representative on the Eastern Bay Energy Trust – projects such as Te Rere and a similar redevelopment currently underway at Opape, have become a particular area of interest.
“Marae play such a big part of life in the Eastern Bay and it’s a real pleasure to see the projects happen.”
“Through our strategic planning, we’ve looked at the number of marae within our boundaries and we can anticipate that most will need electrical upgrading at some point.”
Since 2000, the Eastern Bay Energy Trust has granted $1,680,479 to the energy-related components of Marae upgrades throughout the region. In the past two years projects have been completed at Rautahi, Kokohinau, Maungarongo, Puawairua and Te Rere.
The Opape Marae and Urupa Trust recently secured just over $26,000 from the Eastern Bay Energy Trust for stage one of a three-phase project. The initial stage involves the restoration of the 109-year-old wharenui, ‘Muriwai’, including a complete electrical upgrade and installation of heating, fans, energy-efficient lighting and insulation.
Marae Development Committee Member Marshal Moore is also involved in the planning of an upgrade at Waiaua Marae. He says Trust Manager Rawinia Kamau and Kevin spoke to the whanau to explain the support that could be offered. “The Trust team is really approachable. Kevin’s a straight talker and I appreciate that. He’s really supportive of what you want to do, but he also gives the perspective of the Trustees, who have to think about the best outcomes for the whole community.”
He says the process of applying for funding makes a group ‘look hard at themselves’.
“You need to make sure your organisation is in a position to apply. For example, is your charter in order; has your charitable status been sorted out; have the books been audited. Rawinia gave us their application pack that steps you through all the requirements and at the end of it we were not only able to apply to EBET, but had the motivation and ability to approach other funders too,” Mr Moore explains.
Mrs Tuoro echoes those thoughts. “The application form is not difficult to fill out, the requirements are clearly laid out and the Trust staff offer so much support.”
Mr Moore says EBET’s work with other marae around the district is a great motivating factor too, and he’s organised ‘road-trips’ for his whanau to visit successfully completed projects. “It’s inspiring what others have achieved and we can learn from them.”
“A number of marae committee are talking to us about their future plans. This is clearly an area where the Trust’s support is making a significant impact and that’s got to be good for our communities,” Mr Hennessy concludes.