Learning starts at Waiouru marae

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 559, 25 October 1994, Page 5

Learning starts at Waiouru marae

By

Michele

Monaghan

Rongomaraeroa Marae in Waiouru is to host a wananga, titled 'What is Culture?' this Thursday and Friday. Auckland University lecturer Laurie Nicholas will lead the wananga (learning). He has been quoted as saying there are two races "The Human race and the horse race." He is also a tohunga whakairo (master carver) and was in Waiouru recently to discuss carvings for the marae. The marae' s wharenui was lifted off its foundations and moved to its new site by 274 men in July — the first step in establishing a marae for all soldiers and their families; known as Ngati Tumatauenga. Marae chairman Des Ratima said the marae would become a centre of learning for all cultures.

"Twenty years in the Army will teach you all the skills you need on the battlefield. We can teach them to kill. We can teach them to fight. We can teach them to die. What they don't concentrate on is the need to take care of the other half of the man emotionally and spiritually," he said. "Balance is the word. The balance between cultures. The harmony aspect. As people leave the army they go with the values taught in the army and on the marae. They'll contribute more (to society)." Mr Ratima said the construction of an ablution block, kitchen and dining room will start early in the new year. He said construction should be finished around August leaving time for landscaping and fencing before the official opening in October 1995.