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Mayor Collis goes on to say:

“The health and wellbeing of P˜kaha has to be experienced. P˜kaha is an important part of Te Tapere nui o Wh°tonga, known as the seventymile bush by European settlers. It is a signiÿ cant part of our culture and identity, and we’re grateful to Rangit°ne for their gift of the forest to all New Zealanders. We are extremely excited at the potential Te Whare Taiao o˙ ers - to young people especially - but also to the many organisations wanting to take the opportunity to utilise the facilities of Te Whare Taiao and experience all that nature has to o˙ er.”

This inspirational joint venture is a culmination of the commitment of current and past generations (t˜puna). It also embodies the principle of kaitiakitanga, preserving taonga for future generations. P˜kaha and Rangit°ne are leading the way in partnership, conservation, and the preservation of cultural heritage. They’ve also got an eye towards tourism and bolstering the local economy.

“Leaders of Rangit°ne, P˜kaha, and a kaitiaki (guardian) trust organisation, have spent decades working in partnership to achieve the building and opening of Te Whare Taiao o Manukura,” says Mavis Mullins, co-chair of the P˜kaha Board Bob Francis, P˜kaha Board Chair for 14 years, was integral to previous visionary decisionmaking that culminated in the opening of Te Whare Taiao in July this year. Named Companion of the NZ Order of Merit in 2021 after his 21-year tenure as Masterton’s Mayor, and many other Board appointments and achievements, Bob is delighted that the centre is now open for business.

“I recognised early on as Mayor,” says Bob, “that there was an opportunity to take P˜kaha to another level and bring additional beneÿ ts to the economy. Te Whare Taiao o Manukura is unique in our country and is something for us all to be proud of.” He adds: “this is a special place that will help open young hearts and minds – even change the future –as students learn about the importance of the environment. The centre also provides opportunities for corporate retreats, functions, and weddings, as well as tourism opportunities for locals and the travelling public.”

“Tribute must be paid to the vision and persistence of koro

Jim Rimene, now deceased,” says Tina Te Tau-Brightwell, a

Congratulations On The

representative of Rangit°ne on the P˜kaha Board. “He grew up listening to his elders. He grew into a man and worked at P˜kaha in the 1950s. He became a kaum°tua (M°ori elder) and shared his vision and knowledge. He enabled the partnership between P˜kaha and Rangit°ne to ˛ ourish and achieve what it has today for the land and for conservation.”

MP, Kieran McAnulty says that “P˜kaha is one of the jewels in the region’s crown. was keen to push for Government support for this project and am delighted to have achieved it. The P˜kaha team has done a wonderful job of putting this together, and it will prove to be a massive asset for both the Tararua District and Wairarapa.”

Kathy Houkamau, Wairarapa Operations Manager for the Department of Conservation says: “our department is one hundred percent behind Te Whare Taiao o Manukura. What a fantastic way to connect our tamariki to nature and teach them the importance of conservation. I have no doubt the centre will be an invaluable resource for schools and the wider Wairarapa and Tararua communities.”

Gary Ca˛ ell, Mayor of Masterton District Council says that “P˜kaha is a fabulous taonga and a great attraction for the region. The opening of Te Whare Taiao o Manukura further adds to what P˜kaha o˙ ers as a centre of learning for environment and ecology, in the heart of a beautiful space. There is a whakataukˆ that ÿ ts well with the opening: Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro n˜n° te ngahere, ko te manu e kai ana i te m°tauranga n˜n° te ao – the bird that feeds on the miro, theirs is the forest, the bird that feeds on knowledge, theirs is the world.”

Of Te Whare Taiao