The Return of a Tapped Marae: A Symbol of Hope for the Whānau of Tangoio

The whānau of Tangoio Marae, located in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, have been waiting for what feels like an eternity for their marae to be rebuilt. However, in a surprising turn of events, a carved pou from the marae has washed ashore on the Mahia Peninsula, almost two years after it was lost during Cyclone Gabrielle.

The Pou’s Journey

The pou was found by residents at Taylors Bay in Mahia, approximately 87 kilometres away from Tangoio Marae. According to Chairperson of Ngāti Kahungunu, Bayden Barber, the pou wasn’t in its best condition but he is hopeful it could be restored and returned to its rightful place.

“It was found within our rohe, quite ironic that it was found up at Te Māhia in terms of our tīpuna Rongomaiwahine, but the haukāinga are very happy of course to have that pou returned,” Barber said.

A Symbol of Resilience

For Barber and the whānau of Tangoio, the return of the pou is a much-needed boost. The marae was severely damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle, leaving it inaccessible for months. “Kei te mamae tonu rātau (they are still hurting), that they don’t have a marae, they don’t have a whare to have tangihanga and express their tikanga,” Barber said.

The pou’s return serves as a reminder of the resilience of the whānau and their commitment to preserving their cultural heritage. “He tohu o te ora, ahakoa ngā pēhitanga o te wā, despite the challenges of the day whether they be political, whether they be climate change it’s a tohu (sign) of resilience. E kore e ngaro, we’re not going anywhere we’ll be here for another thousand years plus.”

A Delayed Process

Despite the positive news surrounding the pou’s return, Barber expressed frustration with the delayed process of rebuilding the marae. “There are challenges just finding land in their takiwā which is safe and flood free, but two years, come on, it should have been done within a year.”

Barber hopes that the return of the pou will bring some hope to the whānau, who have been waiting for what feels like an eternity. “It’s time to get the process to a point where whānau could see a light at the end of the tunnel at least. He wanted to see a strong signal from the government that it has a plan for the marae.”

A Call for Action

The government is being approached for comment about the future of the marae. Barber hopes that this will lead to a clear plan and timeline for the rebuilding process.

In conclusion, the return of the pou is a beacon of hope for the whānau of Tangoio. While the road ahead is still uncertain, it serves as a reminder of their resilience and commitment to preserving their cultural heritage. With the pou’s return, the whānau are one step closer to having their marae rebuilt and functional once again.

Note: The article has been rewritten while maintaining all factual information intact. It has also improved readability by breaking into logical sections and using proper headings.