Far North marae in for TV overhauls

Members of the Mokonuiarangi Marae - Olivia Yukich (left), Wayne Haenga, Emma Pomare, Steve Turner and Elva Pomare - fed firefighters fighting a huge blaze at White Cliffs forest, Horeke, in November 2011. Now the marae wants people to help them give the marae a major upgrade. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Two Northland marae will be appearing on national television as they undergo much-needed makeovers.

Mokonuiarangi Marae in Utakura Valley and Matihetihe Marae in Mitimiti are two of seven marae nationwide that will undergo renovation on TV3's AIA Marae DIY.

Mokunuiarangi Marae DIY co-ordinator Kere Kaihe said as lovely as having a dining room with a view of the stars sounded, she was glad that view was being covered.

"We've got a lovely dining room. You can see the stars and when it rains you get a waterfall," she said.

Other work to be done during the four-day project, beginning March 12, would include recladding the exterior and interior walls of the wharekai, adding disabled toilet facilities, repairing the walls and repainting the ablution block, landscaping around the marae atea (the courtyard in front of the wharenui) and the car parks, adding fences and painting the three buildings on the marae.

Ms Kaihe said the upgrade had been a long time coming and the marae had been kept busy after the wharekai of a nearby marae, Mataitaua Marae, was lost in a fire in 2006.

"People would come to our marae for weddings and tangi since the wharekai [at Mataitaua] wasn't operational," she said. "Our marae needs some much-needed TLC."

The marae was also used as a refuelling base for helicopters in 2011 during one of Northland's biggest fires in the White Cliffs forest, near Horeke in South Hokianga. During that time the Mokonuiarangi Marae wharekai workers helped feed the many firefighters fighting the blaze.

"This marae has touched the hearts of so many. It's got so much mana," she said.

About an hour away is Matihetihe Marae. Andrew Kendall, marae co-ordinator there, said the community was excited to have the marae upgraded. One of the main renovations would include giving the wharenui, Tumoana, a makeover. "It's pretty run down, so we'll be doing recladding, relining, insulation, joinery and rewiring."

He was also hoping, before the renovations started on February 26, that an ultrafast broadband connection would be installed.

"We're hoping it will help us connect to whanau. We're a rural marae so we struggle with reception. Whanau don't stay here for long because they can't keep up to date with work without internet."

Both marae are looking for volunteers to help with the series, including tradies and people to help cook, clean and run activities.

-If you would like to help with the Mokonuiarangi Marae renovations call Ms Kaihe on 09 9295929 or 021 1282938 or email kereru10@gmail.com You can also find the Matihetihe Marae DIY event on Facebook and get in touch there to offer help.