TE WAHAROA
The main entranceway to the marae was built in 1995 along with the fences, pathways and roading around the marae.
The carvings on the waharoa are re-tell the story of the sons of Takihiku - Wairangi, Tamatehura, Upokoiti and Pipito.
To read the story of Wairangi click on the link below:
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| TE WHARE TŪPUNA
The final project to be undertaken during the establishment of the marae was the Whare Tūpuna, which commenced in August 1993. Te Whetūmārama, with his experience and skill as a ‘tōhunga whakairo' developed the overall concept. The front and back inside walls were an acknowledgement to the elder generations through the use of traditional colours while the sidewalls recognised the younger generations with contemporary colours. On October 30th 1993, a ceremony was held to lay down the 'mauri' of the whare before construction began. Initially, the concrete outer foundation walls were constructed with Te Pueatanga supervising the excavation work. The area between the walls was then filled with about 60 truckloads of quarry metal before a friend of the late Toota Norman Kereama, Dave Toa, poured the concrete seal that formed the floor. of the Whare Tūpuna. The next task was to erect the walls and the roof. Brian Te Whatu and Eddie Muldrock were the main builders with the assistance of Tūwhatu Kereama, however there were many other people who also helped out with the building projects including Te Pueatanga, Ted Devonshire, Trevor Hammond, Norman Hillman, Rangi Hillman, Graeme Kereama, Josh Kereama, Ross Bryers and Robert Bryers. In December 1993 upon completion of the roof, a ‘tapu' was placed on the whare that prohibited women, smoking and food in the area. A sign was duly erected near the entranceways and everyone was instructed to observe this tikanga. It was at this time that the carvers who had been working in the Kaumātua Lounge moved into the whare to complete the outstanding whakairo. The kōwhaiwhai painters remained in the Wharekai while the tukutuku weavers moved into the vacant Kaumātua Lounge.
The Whare Tūpuna was opened on February 10th 1996 and given the name Manomano.
An explanation on the whakairo, tukutuku and kowhaiwhai is provided on another page.
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TE WHARE KAUMĀTUA
Not long after the Planning Consent had been granted by the Manawatu District Council in 1990, Te Whetūmārama reported that he had been offered buildings at no cost (except transportation) provided that they could be moved at short notice. The buildings consisted of a Linton Army Camp Hospital ward and an office (See Tari below).
A delegation of the whānau consisting of Te Whetūmārama, Te Pueatanga, Brian Te Whatu and Whatanui Kereama were sent to Linton to peruse the buildings with the assistance of a MDC Planning Officer and a Building Inspector. The buildings were estimated as being constructed in the late 1930's - early 1940's and complied with current building standards. Minor changes had to made to the Planning Consent but these were discussed and accepted by the Planning Officer before a decision was made to accept the buildings. On December 10th 1990, Gold Coast Removals delivered the first two buildings to the site in Halcombe. They were blessed by Ngāpukapuka and Max Paterangi with the first being used as a kitchen, a dining room and a meeting place until the main kitchen/dining room was moved on site. It was then used as a carving centre until the carvers were moved into the Whare Tūpuna and then became the tukutuku workroom. Today it is used as a Kaumātua Lounge
The name given to this building is Tūwhatu, who married Manomano and had Te Ngako. The room is furnished with seats donated by members of the whānau and has a couple of single beds for our kaumātua who are unable to sleep on mattresses. It is also used for additional accommodation.
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| TE WHARE KAI
A few months after moving the Whare Kaumātua and the Tari on site, Gold Coast Removals offered another building to the whānau that they had recently acquired. It was a New Zealand Electricity Department Building priced very cheap which included the cost of moving it to Halcombe and connection to the services.
Once again Te Whetūmārama, Te Pueatanga and Huatahi inspected the building and reported back to the whānau, who after considering the high costs to build a new building against the assessed value of this building and the ability to convert it into a functional kitchen and dining room, it was decided to purchase the building.
Building Inspector and Planning Officer inspections were also conducted before it was finally relocated to the site in three sections on April 3rd, 4th and 5th 1991. Once the whole building was on the ground, karakia were performed to bless the building. The building required extensive Internal and External renovations. Te Pueatanga co-ordinated the building tasks with Tūwhatu assisting from time to time. Ted Devonshire lead the task of removing the asbestos roof and replacing it with roofing iron. Various members of the whānau removed some non-structural internal walls and added the rear porch. The building was re-wired and finally over the months of March to April 1992, it was re-painted. This project was lead by Tania Sutton and her husband Paul with Huatahi and many others rubbing down, filling gaps and applying the paint.
Over the years, many people came to the marae to assist including a group of P.D boys and each time our aunties would always prepare some kai for them. This manaakitanga was recognised and the name of the building became known as Manaaki Tangata.
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