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Proposed land for new mārae in New Plymouth. Image source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ngati-Te-Whiti-Marae-2013
Te Atiawa hapū Ngāti Te Whiti is building its first marae in 130 years and it wants to be sure everyone can use it.
Project Co-ordinator Shaun Keenan says the complex on a 4 hectare site beside New Plymouth's Ngamotu Beach is designed to be accessible for people not only with physical disabilities but those with hearing and visual impairments too.
Plans include meeting houses, gardens, kaumatua housing and possibly restoring part of the area to wetlands.
Building begins later this year and Mr Keenan expects the project could take up to five years to complete.
Brian Eriksen, the manager of the Taranaki Disabilities Information Centre, says it will be the first accessible mārae in Taranaki.
Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd
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