Northland's Okorihi Marae gets $1.7m to rebuild after fire 15 years ago

Emergency services at the blaze that destroyed Okorihi Marae in 2003. Photo / File

Northland's Okorihi Marae was a place hapu relied on to maintain language, culture and family relationships.

So when it was destroyed in a blaze in 2003, people felt lost.

But now hapu Ngatiueoneone can start rebuilding after being granted just over $1.7 million as part of the Government's Oranga Marae programme.

"For all of those 15 years we haven't had place," said marae chairman Quinton Hita.

"It means that our mate (the dead) haven't been able to lay in state at their own marae. Over the years you want to start initiatives for the whānau, for the tamariki and mokopuna, but you have no place to do that," Hita said.

The historic marae west of Kaikohe is one of three in Northland to have benefited from the Oranga Marae programme - which is a combination of funding from Vote Māori Development and Lottery Grants Board.

Kaingahoa Marae in Kaikohe received about $300,000 and Whakapaumahara Marae in Whananaki received more than $800,000 to build a new ablution block.

Hita said the Oranga Marae funding for Okorihi Marae, as well as a $300,000 grant from Foundation North, would go towards rebuilding the wharekai and ablution block, allowing whānau to start using the marae again.

"I don't think you realise how important your marae is until you lose it. It's difficult because we're traditionally a hapu that relied a lot on our marae. Not only for maintaining our culture and our reo, but also for family relationships."

Hita, who has been chairman for about four years, said the loss of the marae has meant whānau have had to use other marae, which have been incredibly generous.

He said despite the circumstances whānau never gave up hope and the recent funding comes after years of fundraising, applications to funding agencies, feasibility studies, and a change of Government which meant a change in policies.

"I think that's a real testament to the whānau. Despite being lost in the wilderness for 15 years they have somehow found a way to maintain family ties and continue to raise money and never give up hope that we would ultimately achieve our goal of getting our marae back."

Hita said it was "cathartic" for whānau when they found out they had received funding. The build has now started and the expected completion is March 2019.

"Both men and women were balling," he said.

"For my aunties and uncles the marae represents all of the memories of their parents and grandparents. It was incredibly emotional."

Meanwhile the funding received by Whakapaumahara Marae is also being celebrated.

Secretary Pam Armstrong said the ablution block is currently "barely functioning".

"I was ecstatic because I knew that meant we could finally get under way. We celebrated, we had cake."