Marae makeover taking care of the next generation

Tuesday, 27 March 2018

Sisters Maree, far left, and Sophie, far right, and the kaumātua of Orongomai Marae couldn't be happier with the renovations.

Orongomai Marae has been given the makeover treatment this past weekend, starring on television show Marae DIY.

The marae now boasts a covered walkway to the new waharoa, new gardens, new fencing, as well as a levelling out of the marae ātea.

Orongomai Marae. has hosted many Waitangi Day commemorations. (File photo).

Orongomai Marae whānau member Maree Tukukino said the work that was done was all about reassuring their kaumātua that their marae was in safe hands.

'Part of the reason we chose to apply for Marae DIY was for our kaumātua. With some of them getting on, it was important we did this mahi now.

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'We wanted to celebrate them and show them we got this.'

The 96th recipient of Marae DIY's makeover treatment, Orongomai is an urban marae with a short, yet colourful, history.

Purchasing land in 1972, the founding kaumātua decided to build the marae on Railway Avenue.

Welcoming people from both home and abroad, it became a communal home for all those who crossed its path.

'People came to Upper Hutt in the 60s and 70s for their trades and whatnot, and then over time they all grew close and formed a whānau,' Tukukino said.

'Orongomai became a place that reminded people what home looked like. It doesn't belong to just one people, it belongs to all.'

Close to 200 whānau turned out to assist with the marae's reconstruction, with the four-day renovations starting on March 22.

Show producer Nix Jaques said Orongomai was one of the more unique marae she had come across.

'To see the level of connection among all the whānau has been really heartening. Whether it be the ladies in the kitchen, the rangatahi or the old fellas outside, it has been awesome seeing everyone take part in the rebuilding of their home.'

Marae committee chair Sophie Tukukino said the support they had received had been astonishing.

'I'd like to give a big mihi to all the whānau, volunteers, sponsors and the crew from Marae DIY because without them none of this would be possible.

'I mean, to see all the whānau, especially the oldies, take part in the renovations of our marae has been neat.'

* The Orongomai Marae episode of Marae DIY of will screen later this year on THREE.