Editorial: Tuhourangi take marae design into future

Tuhourangi kaumatua Anaru Rangiheuea, right, and architect Fred Stevens with designs for a proposed marae at Lake Tarawera.

Plans by Tuhourangi to build a marae on the shores of Lake Tarawera are impressive, to say the least.

The plans for the glass-fronted wharenui - with a view across to Mt Tarawera - are stunning, almost futuristic.

It certainly looks vastly different from traditional wharenui on marae around the country.

Kaumatua Anaru Rangiheuea is excited about the project, as he has been wanting to build a marae on the land for many years.

While plans are still in their infancy, with a lot of work to be done, it's a significant step for Tuhourangi.

There hasn't been a marae at Tarawera since the 1886 eruption destroyed not only the Pink and White Terraces but several villages. The "dynamic" project is intended to be symbolic of the iwi's rebirth and return to the land.

Given a blank canvas to work with, they have come up with a wharenui that, if it goes ahead, could well gain national and international attention and show the iwi is embracing the future, while still maintaining tradition.

With some of the best views in the world, the site could have been used for a luxury hotel or lodge. In recognising that wider appeal, Mr Rangiheuea says the marae would be something the whole community could use.

If the vision becomes a reality it would truly be something not only Tuhourangi, but all of Te Arawa and the Rotorua region could be proud of.