Glen Eden’s Hoani Waititi Marae is set to significantly enhance its hospitality offering, thanks to an upcoming kitchen renovation scheduled to begin at the end of February. Adding new commercial-grade appliances will streamline the preparation of kai, a central element in the marae’s commitment to manaakitanga or hospitality.
According to Pam Spooner, Programme Management/Incubation and New Services, the marae is one of the busiest in the country. Around 2,000 people visit weekly to attend community events, educational programmes, and cultural gatherings.
Pam says the marae provides many essential services for families and the community. These include Whānau Ora, which supports those facing housing, education, and health challenges, and Te Whānau Āwhina, a restorative justice programme. Another vital programme is Patua Te Ngangara, supporting individuals and families dealing with the impacts of methamphetamine. ‘We ensure no one is left without help,’ Pam advises.
The marae’s strong educational focus includes an on-site kura kaupapa (Māori immersion school) and kōhanga reo (early childhood education centre), nurturing tamariki in te reo Māori from an early age. Various youth programmes reinforce cultural connections and provide further avenues for families and the community to engage with the marae.
However, the kitchen setup has struggled to keep up with demand. The daily need for large-scale catering and educational cooking classes continues to increase. And the kitchen also helps out with emergency food distribution during crises like the Auckland floods.
The current kitchen closed just after Waitangi Day and is set to undergo a complete overhaul. It will be transformed into a modern, commercial-grade facility designed to meet changing needs and health and safety standards.
Funding of $20,000 from the Your West Support Fund has been spent on buying new kitchen appliances and equipment. These will be installed around May once renovations are finished.
The kitchen upgrade will ensure the marae can cater to larger groups and expand community events. Furthermore, it will open up more educational opportunities, including healthy food preparation and cooking skills.
Later this year, the marae celebrates two significant milestones: 50 years for Te Aroha, the whare kai or dining room and 45 years for the meeting house, Nga Tumanako. A community celebration is planned, so keep an eye on the websiteor Facebook page for all the latest news.
