Funding approved for Infrastructure Rebuild Stage One

Waipapa Marae Trust has been awarded funding of $733,224.00 for Stage One of the Infrastructure Rebuild due to start at the end of next month.

Trust chair, Cathy Holland says funders noted our successful funding application ensures Waipapa marae will be safe and comfortable, contributing to the well-being of iwi, hapū and whānau.

“I’d like to acknowledge our funders Oranga Marae at Te Puni Kōkiri and Lenadeen Simpson, DIA for the faith and confidence they have put in our trustees because we have to administer these funds and be accountable for every cent we spend.  Furthermore, this is the second time the Department of Internal Affairs and Oranga Marae have recognised our marae trust in a short space of time with our successful funding request in 2018 for the build of the wharekai, Te Maru o Hikairo.  This is a huge achievement for the Waipapa Marae Trust and I’ll like to thank our trustees for the long hours they have put in to make this happen,” Cath says.

Stage One of the Infrastructure Rebuild includes the installation of Fire Alarms and Water Sprinklers in Taku Hiahia in the event of fire.  Permanent tanks will be connected to the water sprinklers in the wharenui.  This will allow us to sleep more than 40 people a night in step with our Marae Insurance.  Stage One also includes new toilets and showers for Taku Hiahia to accommodate our tūroro with disabilities.  The other major part of this rebuild is to install a new drainage and sewerage system for the marae under the carpark behind Ngā Taiwhakarongorua.  Finally, a retainer wall is planned for the bank behind Taku Hiahia.

 Cath says she’ll be contacting our architects immediately to give them the green light to get our tradies on the job as laid out in the Feasibility Plans.

“We’ll be able to keep right on schedule to start the Infrastructure Rebuild, Stage One at the end of July.  All going well, we should be on target to open our marae for Poukai 2022,” she says.

Cath says the trust has been well aware of the huge ask this has been for our marae beneficiaries but health and safety standards are paramount.

“On behalf of the trust, I want to take this opportunity to thank our marae beneficiaries who have put up with the marae being closed since COVID 19 hit these shores and it’s still coming at us.  Wellington has just gone back to ALERT Level Two.  And then the trust decided to keep the marae closed until we finished Stage One of the Infrastructure Rebuild.  We’re nearly there, so please hang in with us until we bring our marae up to acceptable health and safety standards,” she says.     

Looking to the immediate future, Cath says the trust will now move into shoring up funding for Stage 2 that will allow us to spruce up Ngā Taiwhakarongorua with new toilets and showers as well as a covered entrance from the wharenui to the ablution blocks.

“The plan is to get that underway after the poukai.  In the meantime, we have the greenlight for Stage One so let’s get it done on time and on budget for the poukai!”