INDEPENDENT NEWS

Strong community support for Marae

Published: Thu 14 Sep 2006 02:01 PM
PRESS RELEASE
Strong community support for Marae
Strong community support for Grafton’s Tatai Hono Marae has led to the ASB Community Trusts granting the historic building’s restoration project $500,000.
Trust CEO Jennifer Gill says the Burleigh Street marae is one of the city’s icons. Beginning life in the 1880s as an Anglican church, it has evolved into a cultural centre used not only by Maori, but by Korean and Fijian community groups.
“It has been a place of worship, a centre of religious instruction, a venue for fund-raising activities, the focus for parish social activity and most recently a marae,” she says.
“A grant at this level acknowledges the wide community use of the facility but, more importantly, the historical significance of the building.”
The latest Trust grant comes on top of $176,000 paid for the marae’s restoration and refurbishment in 2005. The million dollar upgrade and restoration project is also being funded by The Auckland Anglican Maori Mission and the Department of Internal Affairs, through the Lottery Marae Heritage and Facilities fund.
The marae has wide-ranging community use. It is a centre for te reo Maori and cultural awareness programmes, second chance education opportunities for teens and adults, creative arts seminars, counseling and parenting programmes and assistance for the elderly.
It is regularly used by a Korean community group of around 600 people, Fijian community meetings for about 40 families and meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. As well, there are recreation and sports events for teenagers, a school holiday programme, Kura Kaupapa and the marae is used by church youth groups.
The ASB Community Trusts decide on grants for projects in education, the arts, sport, recreation, health and social services areas each month. About $55 million is granted to community group projects in Auckland and Northland each year.
Founded on the sale of its shares in the ASB bank, the Trust has granted more than $500m since being formed in 1988. Any incorporated or charitable trust can apply for funds, provided they are a not-for-profit organisation. For more details about applying, visit the Trust’s website: www.ASBCommunityTrust.org.nz
ENDS

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