New gate marks marae
The gateway, carved from Totara, stands at the entrance to the marae on Kelburn Parade.
It was carved by Dr Takirirangi Smith, who studied at Victoria in the 1980s and led the carving of the meeting house.
He says the new gateway and carvings throughout the marae are all historically connected.
“The carvings on the new gateway are connected visually. The gateway, flagpole, meeting house, dining room and the School of Maori Studies all carry the theme of Maui.”
He describes the gateway as “another step in the journey of creating a place on campus where Maori values can be expressed.”
Marae Manager Te Ripowai Higgins says the meeting house has special significance in Maoridom and recognises the efforts by Ruka Broughton and Dr Wiremu Parker, who contributed greatly to the establishment of the Marae, but died before the opening in December 1986.
“When all the tribal leaders came to the Marae for the opening of this house, it was in part a tribute to these men and recognition that the cost of this house was great,” she says.
The gateway was officially opened on December 6.










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