Mareikura Waka Ama Club has turned out to be one of the few institutions in Tairāwhiti to benefit from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Construction was due to start just two weeks after the cyclone struck in mid-February.
The site has been moved to a safer location at Anzac Park, on higher ground and near the Hurahura Road entrance, adjacent to the playground and with ready access to the boat ramp.
Funding has been granted by Trust Tairāwhiti, Lotteries Community Facilities Fund and Eastland and Central Community Trust to build a semi-permanent open-air storage shed which will be in keeping with the surrounding park.
The proposed facility is an “open air” style of construction which aims to reduce visual, wind, sun, and airflow impact on the park.
The design allows for water to flow freely through the facility in the event of a major flooding event so that water flow is not deflected to other parts of the park.
Councillor Nick Tupara said he wanted to acknowledge the name of the location as Mangamutu.
“It’s been Mangamutu as long as our people settled there - as a marae.”
The staff report before the committee describes the lease application, under the Reserves Act 1977, as a “change of use”.
But Cr Tupara said it was not a change of use.
“We have been using it for waka since our people have been settled here in Aotearoa.”
It was an ongoing use with Mareikura using the technology, understanding and tikanga many families had used for many years.
Several councillors thanked Mareikura for their long record of service in the community.
Cr Larry Foster said Mareikura had been waiting for 38 years.
Waka ama was going “from strength to strength”.
Cr Aubrey Ria said Mareikura had been in the community for 38 years, producing world champions and greatly contributing to waka ama as a strong local sport with two clubs competing at world championship level.
“Those waka ama had been sitting on the grass for 38 years.
“It is time for those waka ama to have a home.”
Committee chairman Andy Cranston said delays in progressing the storage facility had been disappointing.
But the club may have been lucky with the new location looking safer than the original.
Speaking as a trustee of Sport Gisborne-Tairawhiti, Mr Cranston said the trust had heard many good reports about of Mareikura.
The sport was a special part of Gisborne’s regional identity, he said.
An impression of Mareikura Waka Ama Club’s proposed semi-permanent open-air storage facility. Image supplied
