Marae To Be Built At Auckland Airport

Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL), and local Tangatawhenua (Tainui) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build a Marae at the airport to be completed by the end of 2005.

The agreement was signed by the Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Atairangikaahu ONZ, DBE and Mr Bob Rawiri, Chairman, Nga Marae Toopu (Waikato Marae) on behalf of the Tangatawhenua, and Mr Wayne Boyd, Chairman, and Managing Director and CEO, Mr John Goulter, on behalf of AIAL.

The Marae will be built on airport land adjacent to Tom Pearce Drive near the Aviation Country Club and will be managed by a Trust, which will be responsible for the establishment and ongoing management of the Marae.

AIAL Managing Director and CEO, John Goulter, said the development of the Marae is a major component of the company’s commitment to the community and “in essence, an illustration of an extension to our triple bottom-line management responsibilities, a cultural responsibility to go with our social, economic and environmental performance responsibilities”.

“We see huge benefits for our customers, the travelling public, especially those visiting New Zealand for the first time – the Marae will become a focal point where they can be introduced to our heritage in a very professional manner.”

Spokesperson for the Tangatawhenua, Mr Bob Rawiri said the Marae was one of the most positive moves ever for their whole waka and would cater for many cultural, celebratory and community occasions within the rapidly growing airport community. - continues -

“The Marae will be available to be used by people of all ethnic groups representative of the multicultural make-up of Auckland, and by the wider tourism community,” Mr Rawiri said.

The opening of the Marae is scheduled for November 2005 to coincide with the Airport’s 40th Anniversary celebrations and it is envisaged that the meeting house will be fully carved and adorned with tukutuku and kowhaiwhai.

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