Katere ki te Moana Marae gets a make-over

The Katere ki te Moana Marae received a make-over worthy of a reality TV show last year, thanks to a $265,000 grant from the Provincial Growth Fund.

The building was located on-site in the 1980s by Cousin Greg Skipper who purchased it and moved it all at his cost. This was his commitment to supporting whānau to be on the whenua. It had had some minor renovations but needed a total refit as it still sported its old-school scrim-lined walls and was leaky and cold. It was also hard to hold any gatherings of any size.

But now it has a totally revamped kitchen, newlygibbed walls, a new roof, new guttering, new windows, solar panels – and best of all, an expansive deck that has doubled the building’s footprint.

“It’s been amazing to see it transforming from a do-up former cricket clubhouse to a smart, welcoming, and fit-for-purpose marae,” says Ngamata Skipper, who oversaw the project. “The whole project was a bit of a whirlwind experience as we had limited time to get the work done, and many people contributed their time to it.”

“We relied heavily on our builders, Clelands, to make sure everything kept progressing and they were great.”

The project was also an opportunity for Cleland’s site manager Hoani Russell (great-mokopuna of Ina Cole, and great-great-mokopuna of Te Hauwhenua (Mac) Kipa) to learn of his whānau connections to Katere and reconnect with whānau as the Hapū had photographs of his great-grandparents and other family members on display.

“Now we have a place that is ideal for smaller gatherings, family reunions, blessings, and the like,” says Ngamata. “The new deck is a wonderful space to hold presentations and ceremonies and to serve and enjoy the kai. And now it is all done up inside, it is a welcoming place for people to sleep over if needed.”

A variety of events and wānanga have already been held at the marae since the project was completed in February 2022, such as workforce training, finance management workshops, mokopapa and poi tawhito, and hosting a Minister of Parliament or two.

“Every hapū member who comes here can have a real feeling of pride in the appearance of their marae now,” says Ngamata. “Renovating the building is the first step of a long-held aspiration and is a testament to Greg’s vision of providing a space for whānau. It is wonderful to have achieved it so we can now enjoy our new surroundings as we move on to other improvements.”

Funding for the renovation of a marae, town halls, other community facilities, war memorials, and Pasifika churches was earmarked by the Government as part of the refocus of $600 million of Provincial Growth Fund funding.

The pūtea not only helped protect hundreds of valuable cultural and community assets around the country, but it also provided work for local contractors and Māori who were impacted by COVID-19.