Okaiawa
2022
Memories were shared, songs sung and tears shed as the 1930’s built Mawhitiwhiti Kanihi Pā was farewelled to make way for a new cultural hub some six years in the planning.
The Kanihi-Umutahi Hapū hui was initiated to complete a series of workshops establishing the needs of the Mawhitiwhiti Kanihi Pā. From these workshops which involved; The Mawhitiwhiti Kanihi Pā Building Committee, local Iwi, and Whanau, all options of exploration were considered for the marae and its surrounding areas.
The design is a contemporary new marae that embraces the traditional values of the Iwi while looking to the support the economic aspirations of the future. Elements of the design are well considered to meet the versatile needs of the modern marae. Acoustic properties were important as well as transitional spaces with storage and function at the forefront. Included is a covered mahau with footwear storage, an adaptable wharenui with the ability to sleep up to 130 people but also be used for a variety of other activities, a separate Kaumatua wharemoe, wharekai and commercial kihini as well as a childrens play room and office/ administration room that displays and stores pukapuka, photos, memorabilia and precious taonga.
Timber floorboards from the original Kanihi which many people had travelled to dance upon throughout the decades were saved and repurposed in the new wharenui. The floorboards were thought to carry many stories and memories of events at Kanihi.
