BayTrust is providing a $200,000 cash injection to help ensure Omaio Marae’s long-awaited new wharekai is fitted out with everything it needs before the doors re-open later this year.

The new dining and kitchen facility is currently under construction in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and is the culmination of eight years of planning and hard work by Te Whānau a Nuku hapū members.

The marae is a popular and sought-after venue thanks to its prime waterfront spot just south of Te Kaha but the old wharekai was too small and didn’t meet today’s building standards.

Oranga Marae, which provides support, advice and investment for marae, has funded the bulk of the $5.9 million project via Te Puni Kōkiri and the Department of Internal Affairs.

But a lengthy building consent delay at Opotiki District Council and unforeseen soakage problems led to a steep escalation in costs that hapu members have been scrambling to cover.

Inside the dining hall. Photo supplied.

An additional $200,000 has now been provided by BayTrust to help pay for the internal fit-out and ensure the building is finished as Te Whānau a Nuku hapū members have envisioned.

“We are very grateful for this funding,” says project manager Maxie Kemara.

“Without BayTrust’s help and support we can’t finish this project. It’s massive for our hapū, our Te Whānau a Apanui iwi and our community.”

Once complete, the new wharekai will be twice the size of its predecessor.

“The way the kitchen is being set up, it can be managed easily by one or two people or by 20-30 plus people. We’re really trying to make it workable so we can produce food on mass.”

Side view of kitchen. Beautiful Abodo cladding. Photo supplied.

Kemara says the venue will be in high demand and allow for the continuation of Māori customs, language and practices as well as meeting wider community needs.

“We will have tangi, weddings, unveilings, birthdays, plus a number of local businesses that will be using our place as a meeting venue like the kiwifruit industry and council.

“Our marae has been closed for four years now after Covid and the subsequent wharekai demolition. But we’re at the stage now where the family are really excited and keen to get the marae open and going again. Because we all do miss it.

“It’s going to be huge for us. In our iwi we have 13 marae and our marae is one of the most sought-after because of its location.

“We’re only 40 minutes from Opotiki and you have to turn off SH35 when you come down our private road. We have public toilets and a beach right there.

The back wall of dining hall. Photo supplied,

“So whatever the function or hui or meeting, everyone’s kids are safe. And our marae is the one our Te Whānau a Apanui kapa haka group use every summer for training so obviously that’s a big deal.

“We can’t wait to re-open and we’re so appreciative of BayTrust in helping make that happen.”

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes says fundraising for a project of this size is a big undertaking for any community group and delays outside of the marae’s control had created an extra financial burden for hapū members.

“This new facility will be an intergenerational asset that will benefit the wider community for decades to come.

“It’s important to have a wharekai that is fit-for-purpose and meets current health and safety regulations as well as the building code.

“It’s a genuine focal point for the Eastern Bay community and we’re very pleased to provide this grant to help get the project over the finishing line so the doors can re-open in time for summer.”