Dawn ceremony to open Pipiriki wharekai

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 389, 4 June 1991, Page 1

Dawn ceremony to open Pipiriki wharekai

BY

GAIL

IMHOFF

beveral hundred people attended the dawn opening of the new wharekai (eating house) at the Pipiriki Marae on Saturday 1 May.

The traditional dawn ceremony was performed by tohunga's (gifted leader) Matiu Mareikura and John Tahu Parae with support from the Maungarongo marae famiiies. The front of the wharekai was acknowledged and the official party then walked around the building praying and chanting to bless the building. After a prayer the puhi (traditional symbol of purity) Renee Te Huia was the first person over the threshold of the new building. The building was then blessed inside. Pipiriki resident 96-year-old Bill Robinson unveiled a commemorative plaque above the door. Many of the large crowd then filed into the wharekai to hear speeches. The wharekai bears the name Tekupenga, the same as its predecessor. Tekupenga means gathering place. The present building was started about three years ago. The new wharekai has large windows and doors, with a patio in the front with steps and a ramp for easier access. The interior walls and ceiling are lined in wood panelling and the dining area seats up to 200 people at a'time

The last time a dawn opening ceremony was held at Pipiriki was about the turn of the century when tohunga Tamakehu opened the present whare puni (sleeping house) called Pirekiore. Travellers from major centres from Whangarei to Wellington and Christchurch began arriving at Paraweka Marae on Friday and were welcomed on to the marae with members of the Maungarongo Marae late on Friday aftemoon. During the evening church service a ruru (morepork), a good omen, was seen flying around landing on the flag pole and in the tree on the marae. Pipiriki marae chairmari Mark Cribb was pleased with the turn out for the weekend. "Pipiriki used to be a very depressed community but with the rebuilding of many of the houses, a few years ago the new kaumatua flats, the sewage system, the new Pipiriki House being built, and now with the new wharekai the community has taken on a new life," said Mr Cribb "The council also intends putting up new street lighting and widening and sealing the road."