The Ngāti Tamaoho Trust has been welcomed home to Papakura.
Officially registered in 1991, the trust has recently moved into premises at Hingaia, a move Bill Cashmore says has been like welcoming an old friend home.
“Ngāti Tamaoho continues to be wonderful partners with Auckland Council and advice and support from trustees has been welcome and helped inform many decisions in the area,” he says.
Mr Cashmore and fellow councillors Daniel Newman and Angela Dalton joined Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta, local board representatives, government partners, community groups and trustees at an official opening of the Trust's new premises.
Until the move, the trust operated from Manukau and Otara, but it had been searching for suitable premises in the area. The new site provides staff an office base, has a library and training room, multi-purpose arts workshop and a retail store selling Māori art, created as part of a social enterprise.
“The trust, as the mandated management group of the people of Tamaoho, plays an essential role in protecting the interests of its people, and acts as kaitiaki within tribal boundaries,” Mr Newman says.
It is responsible for ensuring all maunga, ngāhere, awa, motu, moana and wāhi tapu within the Ngāti Tamaoho rohe are safeguarded.
“It’s a privilege to be able to play a small part alongside Ngāti Tamaoho in that on-going responsibility,” Ms Dalton says.
Trust chair Dennis Kirkwood says it’s a pleasure to return to an area special to the iwi because it carries the Hingaia name.
“Hingaia was a woman of high rank who leant her name to this entire peninsula and harbour area, and whose whakapapa we can trace back to the Tainui waka. It’s also a source of great pride to have hosted the Hon Nanaia Mahuta as she opened the facility.
“The site enables us to bring together a range of activities and services in one, and the board and staff have lots planned in the upcoming months.”
