Collective harnessing the potential of Auckland’s many marae
Te Mauri o te Matatini at Ruapotaka Marae.
Te Kotahi a Tāmaki is a collective of 33 marae which The Southern Initiative supports through connecting it to strategic partners and facilitating support from Auckland Council. TSI’s Ayla Hoeta reports on their latest hui.
Marae continue to be the basis of traditional Māori life as integral parts of local communities. Whether for hosting meetings, wānanga, celebrations, weddings, christenings, tangihanga or for facilitating social services and housing the homeless, marae play a huge part in New Zealand society for Māori and non-Māori alike.
In Tāmaki Makaurau alone there are over 60 marae, each with unique whakapapa, knowledge, skills and expertise. Sixteen of these marae are mana whenua and the rest are mātāwaka (which are marae that cater for all Māori including those who whakapapa to iwi outside of Auckland).
At the Ngā Marae Monthly Hui at Ruapotaka Marae, Glen Innes.
Despite marae in Tāmaki Makaurau being so spread out, there has been a growing desire for them to collaborate more and share expertise. With this mind in January 2018, Te Kotahi a Tāmaki was created to address this need and support the development of a collective marae strategy to build capacity and capability among marae.
The name ‘Te Kotahi a Tāmaki’ was given by kaumātua at a small hui that took place at Manurewa Marae. The purpose of the hui was to explore a publication for marae in Tāmaki Makaurau to collectively profile marae histories, services and relevant information with the increasing need for more whānau and the general public to learn about local marae across the region.
A steering group for Te Kotahi a Tāmaki was later formed to oversee and guide progress, develop a collaborative publication, hui with marae and progress ideas of unity. There are now 30 plus marae connected since its establishment.
Social Procurement hui at Te Roopu Waiora.
The potential for Te Kotahi a Tāmaki has quickly become apparent to:
Share mātauranga, skills, knowledge, expertise and resources
Promote marae-based enterprises
Improve communications
Undertake research and distribute information
Collectively purchase goods
Nurture collaboration.
Te Kotahi a Tāmaki have identified that through collective impact they can create transformational change for whānau, hapū and iwi through the renaissance of marae as centres of enterprise and social wellbeing hubs.
Te Mauri o te Matatini at Mataatua Marae, Māngere
The most recent strategic and communications planning hui was focussed on establishing a governance model and ensuring the marae collective is achieving the outcomes identified by the marae membership.
Te Kotahi a Tāmaki is fast becoming a critical partner for Auckland Council as supporting marae development is a key focus area and the collective can potentially act as the conduit to create better engagement with marae across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Planning is also underway on how to best prepare marae for Te Matatini, the biggest event for te ao Māori in the country which is set to take place in Tāmaki Makaurau in 2021. Te Kotahi a Tāmaki will be facilitating marae support for this event by hosting Te Mauri o Te Matatini before the final festival scheduled for 23-27 February 2021 at Eden Park.
To find out more, visit Te Kotahi a Tāmaki: https://tekotahiatamaki.nz/