Hoani Waititi Marae is looking ahead after marking 45 years serving the West Auckland Māori community, and 40 years for its kura kaupapa Māori, last weekend.
As the marae and school continue to grow, tumuaki and former student Te Hira Paenga says securing their future means laying stronger foundations for the next generation.
“If there’s anything to secure and to lock in for the next generations, is I’m pushing for land title and for mana motuhake, of us here at Hoani Waititi, in coalition with Tainui and obviously Auckland City Council. So why? So my mokopuna, so the next 40 years won’t have to put up with the same challenges we’re putting up with now,” says Paenga.
He says the need for new facilities and resources has never been greater, and the community built around the marae over the past 45 years is key to achieving those aspirations.
“What was the real highlight of over the weekend was us all getting together… We’ve got these eight formal and informal bodies that affiliate to the marae, and it’s about time for us to get cracking in front for the next 40 years,” says Paenga.
With big ambitions for the decades ahead, Hoani Waititi Marae is planning now to ensure Māori education and community wellbeing thrive into the future.
