Valuable Maori carving presented to marae

By Frank Neill

A valuable M ori carving has been rescued from Australia and is now proudly displayed at the Ng Hau e Wh o Papa angi Marae in Newlands.

The carving – carved by Cliff Curtis – is understood to have been carved originally for the Kapa Haka group with the same name as the marae, a group that is no longer operating.

It was found in Australia by Mike and Mary Rutten. Mr and Mrs Rutten were foundation members of Ng Hau e Wh o Papar angi Marae during the 1980s.

That was before a marae had been built in Newlands, and back at that time the marae held its meetings and events in school halls.

When they were still living in Newlands, Mr and Mrs Rutten’s daughter became ill and needed an operation.

Ng Hau e Wh o Papar rangi Marae launched a successful fund-raising initiative, going from door to door to raise donations to pay for the operation.

The Rutten wh nau then moved to Australia, where they came into possession of the carving.

Rather than carry the carving around with them, they decided to present it to the marae.

They chose the marae because it has the same name as the Kapa

The Rutten family brought the carving to Newlands in person when they came to New Zealand over the Christmas-New Year period and presented it to

Helping Auckland

Four Wellington City Council building inspectors have travelled to Auckland to help with the assessment of thousands of homes and other buildings impacted by this year’s Auckland floods.

This follows a request from the Auckland City Council.

Wellington City Council is liaising with the National Emergency Management Agency, the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Officer and other agencies and may send further staff to Auckland if requested.

Valentine special

the marae.

“We are very honored they chose us to be the kaitiaki (guardians) of such a precious t ga (gift) which is proudly on display,” the marae says.