Isaiah Wallace (inset) was one of two young trustees elected at Te Kūiti Pa's AGM, the other being Aroha Wehi-King.
Isaiah Wallace and Aroha Wehi-King were elected as new trustees of Te Kūiti Pā at its AGM, held on Saturday.
“We believe that’s a great result, having our young ones come through. They were our team leads for the 150th, and have demonstrated capability and competency in that area,” trustee Leesah Murray said.
“Their next step is to be trustees and have that responsibility of governance at the marae level.”
Other items discussed included costs for last December’s 150th birthday celebrations, urupā slip repairs and the marae master plan.
A financial overview of the 150th found its full costs had been covered by funding, so the pā had not drawn on its operating accounts.
“A lot of effort and time went into seeking funding and sponsorship,” Leesah said.
There had been many sponsors; for example, the documentary about whare tūpuna Te Tokanganui-a-Noho’s history, which premiered at the 150th, was fully funded by Te Māngai Paho.
The slip on SH3 next to the urupā (cemetery) had continued to raise concerns, AGM attendees heard.
“The pā will be seeking support from Waitomo District Council and Waka Kotahi because it’s on the main highway. The damage was caused during the January flooding. And it’s something that we believe needs multiple funders to support that work, to retain that slip,” Leesah said.
It was not affecting gravesites at this stage.
“[However] it’s not very far away, and there’s only the road up the urupā separating the slip from the graves. It’s important for the marae to have that slip repaired this year before further erosion occurs.”
Marae development plans, which were also presented at the meeting, included information around new paepae shelters, an ablution block, an extension to wharekai seating capacity and a new commercial kitchen. Funding applications for the next design phase have been submitted.
“We are in the process of developing for the next 50 years.”
The previous paepae shelters on the manuhiri side had already been pulled down, because they only sheltered groups of 50-70 people.
“We have larger groups than that coming onto our marae, so we want to increase the size.”
The master plan was in its very early stages, Leesah said.
“[After this] we go to another set of designs. And then detailed design. So, it’s a little way off even saying when it will be done.
“The key thing people need to know is that our architects are from Waka Group from Nelson. Waka Group is owned by Keni-Duke Hetet, who’s a local from Te Kūiti who specialises in marae development.”
Te Nehenehenui whare elections took place later in the afternoon with two nominations. Only one nominee, Shannon Manawaiti, was accepted, since the other was unable to be present.
“An election for the second position for Te Whare o Te Tokanganui-a-Noho will take place at a later date, but unfortunately it will miss the cutoff date for Te Nehenehenui elections,” the pā announced on social media.
Pā Trustee elections voted in trustees Shannon Manawaiti, Puni Bell, Aroha Te Kanawa, Kruger Wetere and Leesah Murray, alongside the two newcomers.
Annual financials and audited accounts were accepted; the 2023 annual plan and the budget were also approved.
