Marae Experience

Yes whanau , this marae of ours is truly a special place . You will all have your memories of certain goings on here and most of them will focus around whanau that you cherished and admired.

For me I easily recall my uncle Pat –Wiremu Te Korohu Whiu.  When I was a small child he was my best friend. Those that knew him warmed to him easily. What we have today at our marae is the result of his dedication and hard work, He passed away in 1981.    Uncle Paddy, Paddy boy, Whata----William Patrick-- stepped up for our marae. What an amazing legacy he  left us as well.  Sadly He too has now gone. They have answered the call to their last karanga. When you next visit our marae, stand at the gate for a while, feel them come to greet you. As you enter Tumanako the peaceful silence affords  you the opportunity to say a few words. "Te whare e tu nei, Tena koe" you  take in all the photographs  on the wall and you will be close to tears, it's alright to let them flow, because soon you will have a smile as you gravitate to those pictures more familiar to you.This whare is our church and you may remember some of your tipuna  who prayed here and recall the beautiful voices that sang the hymns,go aunty Bee (Beatrice).  Yes the centre of our universe this place, If you get the chance, show your mokopuna the bell, let them have a little ring.This may help them to take ownership and one day they too will have the opportunity to give service to our marae.
Whanau, this is your marae, this is our marae.
When you're in the peaceful quiet of the Whare you may recall some of the sounds from the past, sounds that bind you to your marae.
The karanga, with all its emotions may drift towards you.It is the first spoken contact between our tangatawhenua (the locals) and the manuhiri (the visitors. Maori hold to the tradition that the karanga is sacred, and is the initial expression of welcome. And so the kai karanga calls. Her karanga is threaded with emotion with deep feelings for the manuhiri to approach  our marae, and to bring with them the spirits of their tipuna that have gone before, so they too, can unite with our tipuna as well. The kai karanga carries the mana of our marae and offers the visitors safe passage while with us.   Haere mai ,haere mai, haere mai.  As they move forward, the visiting kai karanga (Kai Whakautu) will respond as they pay homage to the whanau  they represent, and to the whanau that they will meet
The karanga awakens the emotions ,and brings a deep  awareness of a special privilege,not just an act of going on a marae. There is a presence of people, both physical and spiritual , gathering  to greet one another. 

These expressions  and emotions underpin who we are.