Ngati Hamua scheme ends

A three-year community development scheme has ended after successfully reaffirming the place and power of the Ngati Hamua hapu in Wairarapa.
Joeseph Potangaroa, co-ordinator of He Ara Whakapakari Papakainga Community Development Scheme, said in his final report to Rangitane o Wairarapa that the main objective of the project was to re-establish the mana whenua of the Ngati Hamua hapu.
Mr Potangaroa said a range of milestones was targeted and surpassed during the three year term of the project, which started in June of 2008.
The project was funded by the Department of Internal Affairs and involved numerous people in and beyond the region including Rangitane o Wairarapa koro Jim Rimene, cultural adviser Mike Kawana, chief executive Jason Kerehi and his predecessor Hone Hurihanganui, administrator Merle Te Tau, cultural adviser Reihana Rimene and the iwi authority social services team, Dane Rimene, Moko Namana, nga kuia, and the authority board.
Ngati Pikiao consultant Hakopa Paul and Department of Internal Affairs officer Keryn Martin had played advisory roles during the course of the project, Mr Potangaroa said, and photographer and website designer Mikis van Geffen had worked on the project throughout.
"Overall the project was a success, mostly through being able to put in place information-based resources and building personal relationships that will last well beyond the final day of the project.
"Raising the profile of Ngati Hamua was always going to be a longer term effort and to my mind the project was a success because of how it helped Rangitane especially and Maori in general," Mr Potangaroa said. "It was just so satisfying to help out and contribute to so many organisations in Wairarapa, especially those with kids at their centre."