Waitākere Ward councillors Linda Cooper and Shane Henderson are delighted Auckland Council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee has agreed to amend out of date resolutions that help pave the way for a marae to be established in Te Atatū Peninsula.
It follows a request from Henderson-Massey Local Board to request the council amend legacy council resolutions, paving the way for the Te Atatū Marae Coalition Trust to be given future tenure to develop a marae at Harbourview-Orangihina Park in Te Atatū Peninsula.
Today’s decision now means that there is a renewed commitment from the council to establish a marae at Te Atatū and a clear pathway forward to enable this.
Step closer
Councillor Linda Cooper says she is pleased with the decision which means the establishment of a marae has taken a step closer.
“Today the vision for a Te Atatū marae is one step closer in a long journey. The Waitākere City Council move to designate this area as Marae Special Purpose and the rolling of that into the Auckland Unitary Plan means that there is only one right use for this parcel of land,” she says.
“I’m now looking forward to seeing the marae as a special part of the local community.”
A goal for generations of Māori
Councillor Shane Henderson also welcomed the decision.
“The Te Atatū Marae committee have been working for decades for this result, and I want to mihi to their efforts,” he says.
“I want to acknowledge the kaumatua and kuia involved. The marae has been a goal for generations of Māori, a hope for them and their whanau, and when constructed it will be life-changing for many. It will form a spiritual home, a place to awhi people that need it, and a place of joy and celebration for all residents in the west.”
Next steps
Chair of the committee, Councillor Alf Filipaina says the next step is to take a report to the local board setting out advice regarding options for a lease and any procedural requirements including consultation.
“In making this decision, we have paved the way for a dream to become a reality for those who have been wanting to establish a marae in the area for many years, and I am excited to see how it will progress.”
