Omaka Marae is a Marae for the whole community, the kawa is Rangitāne.
The whānau that support whānau in different areas on the Pa are Manaaki, Te Pā Wānanga, Te Wānanga ō Aotearoa, Te Kupenga Preschool, Omaka Marae Māori Women's Welfare League and Toa Fit
The whānau that support whānau in different areas on the Pa are Manaaki, Te Pā Wānanga, Te Wānanga ō Aotearoa, Te Kupenga Preschool, Omaka Marae Māori Women's Welfare League and Toa Fit
Ta Tatau Timatanga - Our beginning
In 1959 the Marlborough Māori Community Club was formed to provide for the social and cultural needs of Māori people in and around Blenheim. In 1976 this group was granted the use of disused air force buildings at Omaka. Having a permanent location, Omaka began to develop in the real sense as a marae. Various groups were hosted, hui were held, and it became clear that full marae development was necessary.
In 1981 Marae members prepared a development plan and description for a comprehensive marae development. Community fundraising, a grant from the Department of Māori Affairs, and an interest free loan from the Ngai Tahu Māori Trust board all helped provide the necessary funding to get the project under way.
The Māori community involved with the marae come from a variety of different iwi, however these different groups united under the Kākahu of the Rangitāne mana whenua. In present times there are three main iwi involved: Kurahaupō iwi of Te Tauihu, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō and Ngāti Kuia.
The official opening of the Whare Rūnanga (Meeting house) "Te Aroha O Te Waipounamu" was performed on Sunday 27th October 1985.
Our Kaimahi
Fallon Barnett - Marae Operations Administrator
Wendy Rogerson - Manaaki Production and Sales Manager
Nikki Brown - Whānau Ora Navigator
Renata Wallace - Whānau Ora Navigator
Sarah Wikotu - Tinana Navigator / Toa Fit instructor
Matau Wallace - Caretaker
The kaimahi are working in the office or around the Marae and are made up of Volunteer and Paid Staff. We have an Administrator, Caretaker, Whanau Ora Navigators, Tinana Navigators, our local Manaaki products Head Chef/Marketer. We are also very grateful to have the help from whānau who come up and volunteer their help with other mahi and working bee's from time to time.
If you would like to know how you can help at Omaka Marae please contact us.
If you would like to know how you can help at Omaka Marae please contact us.
Our Board of Trustees
|
Margaret Bond - Chairperson
Sherie Gapper Kereana Norton Bruce McKinney Judith MacDonald Lawrence MacDonald |
The Board meets bi-monthly and look after the governance of the Marae.
We hold our AGM's in September of each year.
We hold our AGM's in September of each year.
