| 11 Murihiku Marae: Henderson Construction Runaka’s vision to become reality Russell Fredric The new Murihiku marae complex has a unique tohorā (whale) design to reflect the history of Waihōpai. to page 12 DEVELOPMENT The realisation of Waihōpai Rūnaka’s longheld dream to upgrade its Invercargill marae complex is materialising following the start of ground work late last year. The $13 million main building project has been made possible by a $9m grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, drawn from the $3 billion Government COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. A further $2.5m of this project cost is being funded by the runaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, with the final $1.5 million being funded through the generosity and support of Invercargill Licensing Trust, Community Trust South and Lottery’s Oranga Marae Fund. Included in the scope of the design is a new wharekai, (kitchen) the replacement of the existing sub-standard administration and services hub, internal roading, parking and “We saw all those possibilities in front of us, and that was in 2019, and then we were really fortunate in 2021 to be given the opportunity through MBIE funding to actualise our dreams and aspirations over what could happen....” other infrastructure and landscaping and the phased completion of onsite accommodation for kaumātua. The existing wharenui will remain, but most other buildings will be replaced by purpose-built, future-proofed and environmentally sustainable structures in a unique tohorā (whale) design to reflect the history of Waihōpai. Project co-ordinator Deborah Paterson explained that the working group in was set up in the late 1990/early 2000’s, tasked to assess the state of the existing facilities and to consider upgrade options. Discussions progressed over several years giving consideration to maintaining and renovating the existing facilities, or to undertake a redevelopment, but “not quite of this size”, Deborah says. Once the government funding was approved, initial discussions with specialist marae architects BOON became the catalyst for visualising a larger dream. “We saw all those possibilities in front of us, and that was in 2019, and then we were really fortunate in 2021 to be given the opportunity through MBIE funding to actualise our dreams and aspirations over what could happen,” Deborah says. Rūnaka chair Cyril Gilroy says the development will be all the things a pā was, but in a modern context. “The new mix of facilities will be suitable for a range of hui, social services, community and business activities, plus will provide improved functionality of the marae as a civil defence community hub.” The marae is a designated Civil Defence evacuation centre; the new buildings are being constructed to Importance Level 2 standard. Locally owned and operated Specialists in Suspended Ceilings, Wall Systems & Acoustic Solutions
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