3 August
Two ceremonies were held to mark the start of construction at the new Community Probation Service Centre in Flaxmere on Monday 2 August.
Raymond Clark, Community Probation Services Hawke's Bay Assistant Area Manager, said the events were a good opportunity for stakeholders to gather together to recognise the input of the community into the establishment of the Service Centre.
Around 30 people, including Mayor Lawrence Yule, Counsellor Henare O'Keefe and Des Ratima of Te Aranga Marae Flaxmere attended a dawn ceremony in Wilkes Place, where a stone was blessed and placed in a hole on the site.
Raymond said the stone was sourced from the bed of Te Awa o Te Atua, which ran through Flaxmere hundreds of years ago. The stone is referred to as Mauri Pohatu meaning it is the essence of life and gives the site a life force and protection to all who enter the site in future.
“The prayers and blessings that were said were fitting for the occasion of commencing a new life with CPS in Flaxmere on this site.”
Local iwi representatives and Counsellor Henare O'Keefe spoke warmly of the newly forged relationship between CPS and the Flaxmere Community emphasising that we have worked hard toward a quality relationship, we have got this far and there is now no turning back.
Later in the morning a sod-turning ceremony was held on the site with Mayor Lawrence Yule digging the first spade of dirt and turning it to represent CPS commencing the development of the site for its new purpose.
The Mayor also spoke about how the local people of Flaxmere and CPS have now come together in a new way to work together in the town.
Raymond said yesterday’s ceremonies and a powhiri to welcome CPS staff on 13 July at the Te Aranga marae, were very positive steps in gaining community involvement with CPS’ work.
”CPS, Hastings District Council and several other groups had worked hard to achieve a suitable outcome for the location of the service centre and it’s important to recognise their effort. This work had helped establish a foundation for the all the parties to continue to work together in the future.
“We all want to help the people of Flaxmere, and by working together we have a better chance of achieve better outcomes for the community.”
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