Events

Date: Saturday 10th of July 2010

Type: Training / Workshops

Venue: Matai Aranui Marae

More details:
Marae Tikanga - [Wairuatanga]

Our marae serves to place the highest mana and dignity on people, places and events that take place on our marae. We do this through hospitality, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and restriction. Marae environment ensures safety for whanau, visitors, taitamariki, taitamatane, taitamawahine, kuia and kaumatua.

Te Wharenui Environment:
Tangihanga, Maurimate
For whanau pani, loss, grieving, tangi, silence [even inner anger], the way a person dies e.g.: accident, suicide, murder, violence, drugs and alcohol, death is often sudden and causes great grief and turmoil to those left behind. Tangihanga is held over three to five days and is often referred to as Whare Roimata, meaning the grieving for our loved one is in progress.

Kaitiakitanga
Is in the form of practitioners steeped in experience, knowledge and wisdom, who manage the practical and safety aspects of the Wharenui and Marae Atea. Practitioners include Kuamatua on the taumata, Kuia and Kai Karanga, Kai Waiata, Kai Karakia, Ministers, Ahikā Kaitiaki who hold local historical knowledge and Kai Keripoka [gravediggers]. All these role players koha their aroha and awhina.

Restriction
Exists around safety, spiritual, cultural, and physical practice/behaviour all in the spirit of Tākoha [not law but lore]. The real koha is not just monetary but giving oneself to the kaupapa of marae hapu tikanga.

Whare Kai [Dining room]
Preparation is well underway before the grieving family arrives with their loved one [deceased]. These Kai Manaaki [ringawera] check that food is ordered/collected, into cater for manuhiri from one hundred to a thousand people. Menu has been prepared for each day including the main day [hakari]. Needless to say many hands are required to cater for the care and wellbeing of whanau and manuhiri.

So when we consider what happens on the marae it follows the gospel principles of living and it is available to all. Of great concern is that our younger generation miss out on the real understanding of whanaungatanga: tika, pona and aroha, the real custodians of the marae.

Irene Hancy 13 June 2010

Contact person: irene Hancy

Phone: (09) 4057 769