Marae word a canker in Garden of Memories

By SCOTT KARA

AUCKLAND - The word marae has been blacked out on a sign at the entrance to Howick's Garden of Memories.

It is the first sign of an issue between Maori and some residents who do not want a marae - or even the word marae being used - in Howick.

The sign reads Owairoa Marae, which is the name given to a whare (house) in the Emilia Maude Nixon Garden of Memories in Uxbridge Rd.

The latest row surrounding the marae comes after a review of the garden's management plan attracted 340 submissions. Many were opposed to developing the marae and the word "marae" appearing in the plan.

Some residents were concerned that if the area become a marae it would restrict Pakeha access to the gardens. But the Manukau City Council says public access has not been hindered by the whare's presence in the garden.

Other residents were keen to see a plan which clearly defined what the garden could be used for which would protect it environmentally.

Peter O'Connor, a Howick resident for 20 years, a Pakeha, a marae supporter and former Race Relations Office investigator, believes many Howick people do not want Maori in the area.

"It's intolerance to the level that you can't even have a Maori word there.

"There are some in this community who so dislike things Maori that they will not even allow the small toehold Maori have in this community to continue.

"To live in a community in 1999 and be scared of a Maori word makes you wonder where they've been living for the last 20 years."

Population statistics show there are two sides to Manukau. Only 4 per cent of Howick's population is Maori, compared with 25 per cent in Otara, 22 per cent in Mangere and 26 per cent in Manurewa. Howick's neighbour, Pakuranga, has slightly more Maori, at 6 per cent.

Owairoa Marae includes the whare and a small colonial house. The two buildings house taonga (treasures) from local iwi Ngaitai, which was given to Miss Nixon by Ngaitai kuia (old woman) Rahera Ngeungeu Te Irirangi.

Ngeungeu lived at Umupuia Marae in Clevedon, which is Ngaitai. The two women were friends from the 1930s after Miss Nixon wrote to Ngeungeu asking for Maori treasures for her history collection.

Even in light of the two women's close friendship the written submissions said the words Owairoa Marae should be deleted from the plan because Miss Nixon's will said the area should be a cultural, educational and historical centre.

Howick resident Robert Steward is one of many who does not want the word marae or a marae at the Garden of Memories.

He says: "If they [Maori] get a marae they get sovereignty. If they get absolute sovereignty they can do all sorts of things. They could boot us out."

Merle McKenzie, a representative of Ngaitai, who knew Ngeungeu well, says the two women were great friends.

"What the two ladies had planned was to bring two cultures together. They were both ahead of their time," she says.

Merle McKenzie says it is sad seeing the "lack of understanding" some Howick residents are showing considering Miss Nixon's interest in Maori history.

During last week's hearing on the plan for the gardens, Mr O'Connor was scoffed at by some people when he started a mihi (Maori welcome).

Merle McKenzie received a similar reception when she proposed that a hearing should take place at Umupuia Marae.

She says it is only appropriate that Maori issues and taonga be discussed on the marae - that marae is Umupuia.

The hearings committee is deliberating but Merle McKenzie says there have been suggestions a hearing could be held at Umupuia.