Waipapa Marae Website is Online with a new Connectivity Package

Waipapa Marae launched their new MARAE Website along with the Te Puni Kōkiri MARAE Connectivity Package distributed to marae throughout Waikato Tainui. The package includes:

1. New Marae WiFi
2. New MARAE Security Cameras
3. New MARAE Video Conference Call facility

The website launch also highlighted the first birthday of the new wharekai, Te Maru o Hikairo opened a year ago by Kīngi Tuheitia at the Waipapa poukai March 12, 2019.

The website is linked to the new WAIPAPA MARAE Facebook Page launched as the official platform of communication for: 

• marae beneficiaries
• marae committee
• marae trust
• marae bookings
• marae kaupapa

The Marae trustees support and encourage all existing avenues of communication with beneficiaries.  However, the Waipapa marae website and Facebook page will now be the single legal avenue of communication for our beneficiaries.  We encourage you to make yourselves familiar with the tikanga associated with our social media outlets.  This includes our Communication Policy and our Code of Conduct filed on the website.  In light of the legal implications of the policy as well as the reputation of the marae, all content and correspondence will be administered and monitored by the trustees.  

Next steps of infrastructure rebuild

The most pressing ‘take’ on the table at the moment for the marae trustees is the rebuild of our marae infrastructure to ensure our health and safety standards are up to scratch for everyone who uses our marae especially our manuwhiri tuārangi. 

Te Maru o Hikairo, the new wharekai was the first phase of the rebuild for the marae trustees.  After the financial cost report for the wharekai was tabled and passed at last year’s AGM, Marae trustees indicated our intentions to move on to phase 2.

Every-time we open up the marae, our infrastructure has on-going challenges from previous years and poses serious health and safety concerns.

Once the marae reopens after the COVID 19 restrictions and until the infrastructure work has been completed, use of the marae will be limited  to  

1. Poukai               2 nights, 3 days              (Approx)
2. Hurakōhatu       2 nights, 3 days              (Approx)            
3. Tangihanga       3 nights, 4 days              (Approx)

During this time Rick Tai will be responsible for all marae bookings.

A KOHI and KOHA will cover all marae expenses for the above hui.  With the exception of Poukai and Tangihanga, families will pay a contingency fee of $500, one week before their marae hire.  The fee will be reimbursed into your bank account on receipt of KOHA when you depart the marae.

Priority marae appointments

The marae trustees will look to appoint a Marae Manager and a full Marae Committee to take on the operational responsibilities in the near future with our elected marae committee members.  These two areas of appointments are a major priority for the marae trust.

Security Cameras:

The security cameras will offer marae throughout Waikato-Tainui including Waipapa a greater degree of safety on the marae as well as 24-hour security, 7 days a week.

Whereas the new MARAE Video Conference Call facility will allow Waipapa marae to instantly share information in teleconference with all of the other marae around the Kāwhia Harbour that will allow us the opportunity for example to:

• Buy bulk from big brands like Countdown

• Manage and share our service opportunities with tradies
• Be more democratically informed about our marae, Iwi and local government elections

In conclusion, the website platform and the MARAE Connectivity Package will continue to reinforce our tribal identity:

Kāwhia Kai

Kāwhia moana

Kāwhia tangata