Replica pa will put town on the map

By WAYNE THOMPSON

A replica of a pre-colonial Maori village and pa is part of a cultural and tourism centre proposed for the town of Te Hana.

The charitable trust promoting the project expects it to create up to 35 jobs in the settlement on State Highway 1, 5km north of Wellsford.

Te Hana has 101 people, 32 houses and 20 per cent unemployment.

Project co-ordinator Thomas de Thierry said the centre would be more than a tourist drawcard. An educational marae offering training in traditional Maori crafts and hospitality was part of the plans for the 1546sq m centre.

The aim was to reach out to all cultures and foster understanding and mutual respect.

Mr de Thierry said the village would be a replica of the type Ngati Whatua once had in the area. A pa would be built on a site raised to 8m high and would have full palisades.

He said it was better to create a pa site rather than desecrate a former pa site in the area by building fortifications for commercial reasons.

Mr de Thierry said the riverside site, on part of the Te Hana Reserve by State Highway 1, accorded with a long-term goal to base a traditional waka there.

The river was linked with Kaipara Harbour and raised the possibility of tourist boat cruises from the Port Albert Wharf.

Profits from the centre's commercial activities will go towards educational scholarships and developing training programmes.

* Plans will be discussed at a public meeting at 7.30 tonight at the Wellsford Community Hall, and at Te Hana Reserve from 10am to 3pm tomorrow.