Offenders completing community work sentences in the Waikato lent a hand at Whatapaka Marae recently to prepare for Poukai and the welcoming of the Maori King on 31 August.
Up to 60 offenders completed a “tidy up” that covered every area of the marae, including clearing the road to the marae that had grown over with gorse and scrub, mending old cobblestones on pathways, cutting back weeds and building and concreting work.
Maori dignitaries and local Waikato iwi have gathered for Poukai at a different Tainui Marae each year to talk about current issues and develop plans to move forward in Maoridom. Historically, Poukai was an event to fundraise and pay tribute to those under-privileged people of Tainui waka.
At this year’s Poukai, the new Maori King Tuheitia was welcomed on to Whatapaka Marae, and tribute was paid to the late Dame Te Atairangikahu.
“Several offenders had Tainui links and many others were Maori, so the project was a chance for them to work in an environment that was positive and buzzing with excitement about Poukai and welcoming the King,” said Community Work Supervisor Tom Ogle.
“They had real purpose, and this translated into a very high standard of work, of which they should be proud.”
Marae trustees were very appreciative of the makeover work done, and the work ethic displayed by the offenders.
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ISSN 1178-8453