On a misty Matariki morning, years of fundraising and hard work paid off for Cambridge’s Community Marae ‘Ngā Hau e Whā’ with the opening of its long awaited waharoa (main entranceway).
Cambridge Community Marae Waharoa opening, from left, Rowena Maxwell, marae chair Tania Simpson, Kiri Gray, Dale-Maree Morgan, and mayor Susan O’Regan with son Jack Hayward alongside her.
The morning began cloaked in fog, a good omen for the day according to Waipā Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan.
And so it proved as 200 guests mingled with marae committee members to watch as marae founding member and trustee Kiri Gray – wearing a korowai made by her daughter – and Rowena Maxwell first unveiled a plaque and then cut a ribbon to “officially” open the waharoa.
The gathering then moved to the wharenui (meeting house) for the speeches of reflection and celebration.
Senior writer Mary Anne Gill was there to capture the moment. Read her full story and view her photos.
