Arson attack destroys marae gateway

Kaumatua Eru Thompson holds a carving of Hape that survived yesterday's fire. Picture / Kenny Rodger

A carved entrance recently unveiled at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Mangere was destroyed in an arson attack yesterday.

The waharoa [gateway] to the South Auckland marae was officially opened just before Christmas and was of major cultural significance in welcoming visitors, said Hineamaru Ropati, chairwoman of the school board of trustees.

Firefighters, who were called at 6.50am, held two teenagers at the scene of the fire, which was started by an accelerant.

Detective Chad Cox said a 14-year-old and a 12-year-old had been referred to police youth aid.

Mrs Ropati said the board and school staff wanted to pursue restorative justice with the boys, of Pacific Island descent, and hoped they and their families would be involved in cleaning up the charred remains.

"We're wanting to get our two cultures together ... and engage our cultural values without victimizing.

"Our babies, when they come back to school this is what they are going to be faced with. From here, it's around getting that healing process in place and engaging some positive dialogue."

The waharoa had stood more than three metres high, with carvings along the outside walls and a centrepiece carving of ancestor Hape.

The damage was estimated to be in excess of $16,000, said Mrs Ropati. She praised police and fire service staff for their sensitive handling of the situation.