“I have no problem recommending anyone to work with Corrections on community work projects,” says Ngati Otara Marae Chairman Albert Vahaakolo.
Up to 10 offenders at any one time have been helping out with the renovation at the marae over the last six years. Albert Vahaakolo praises their work in a letter to the Department. He says, “I have been chairman for three years now and I know we would not have been able to do any of the restoration work without help from Corrections. The manpower would have been too costly.”
Touch base
There are two buildings on the marae: the wharekai (dining room) and the wharenui (meeting house). The wharekai at Otara, Auckland, originally came from Otahuhu. It was moved to where it now stands 30 years ago.
“Over all the years people have been doing the best they can to keep it functional with DIY-jobs,” says Senior Community Work Supervisor Greg Wipani.
The wharenui on the other hand was built 15 years ago and is starting to need some tender love and care as well. Renovation work on the wharenui has started recently, including the renovation of the rimu floor.
“We touch base with the marae every week. We have an excellent relationship,” says Greg.
Mile of wire
CPPS has developed a close relationship with the marae and there have been quite a few jobs done there. “Cutting the hip high grass was the first activity. We used machetes to get through it,” Greg recalls. “And after that it was all go: taking out ceilings, putting in windows, rebuilding floors, dismantling a porch, refitting doors. We even found a mile of wire in the ceiling among lots of other things,” says Greg.
Albert describes the work as a total makeover. “Working together with Greg and community work offenders is just fantastic,” he says. “The committee shares the same opinion. Greg just seems to select the right offenders for the right jobs. Whenever I see them at the marae they are getting on with their work. They are always right into it, whether it’s carpentry, painting, washing or counting cutlery.
“Another positive aspect for the offenders themselves is reconnecting with their Maori culture. The marae is actually a pan-tribal marae, all Maori are welcome here. It’s a place of reconnection and a starting point for finding out more about their culture. So we all get something out of this partnership.”
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ISSN 1178-1327