Council to meet at marae for the first time

The Napier City Council is heading out of the CBD and into the community to meet at Maraenui’s Pukemokimoki Marae on Wednesday 5 November from 2pm.

The full council meeting, which will begin with a powhiri, marks the first time the authority has met outside the council chambers. Napier Mayor Bill Dalton saw the decision to hold the meeting at Napier’s urban marae as another step in the Council’s journey to engage with the public. It was also a logical step on from the Council’s appointment earlier this year of marae coordinator Angela Houkamau, whose focus is on helping the urban marae achieve its business plan objectives during the next three years.

“I’ve often been disappointed that more people don’t come to council meetings but if the people won’t come to us we will go to them,” he said.

Mayor Dalton and the councillors have been practising a short waiata, written by council kaumatua Piri Prentice, for the occasion.

Pukemokimoki Trust Chairman Tiwana Aranui said it was a privilege to host the Council on this historic occasion. “One of the key areas we as a marae are looking at is developing solid relationships with the Council and working together for the betterment of Ahuriri.”

It marked the beginning of a new era for the marae, and Mr Aranui hoped it would encourage other groups to use its facilities.

Purpose-built as a community marae for all people of Napier and opened in 2007, Pukemokimoki has received support from Council since its inception. The marae was erected on council reserve land and a Napier City Councillor, as required by the marae trust’s constitution, sits on the trust.

ENDS

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