New chairman for Waiouru Marae

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 676, 4 March 1997, Page 3

New chairman for Waiouru Marae

By appointing a local member of the community, Eru Brown, to the position of chairman of the Rongomaraeroa O Nga Hau E Wha, it is hoped that the orientation of the Waiouru Marae will change. "While the Army will always be the main focus of the marae, the Commander wants to encourage the community to be part of the family of Tumatauenga," commented Mr Brown. He said all soldiers, whether retired or serving, belong to the tribe of Ngati Tumatauenga, and the New Zealand National Marae is for them. As Rangatira of the Waiouru area, the commander has traditionally made two appointments to the Marae Committee, that of chairman and treasurer. Both positions have usually been held by serving soldiers who take on this role as part of their regular work. Mr Brown, a retired soldier now employed by New Zealand Army as training area manager, has lived in the area for 41 years. He said he feels that he and his wife, Toots, are known by the local community as people who get things done and hopes that they will support him in this new position which he regards as a "challenge". Mrs Brown is fluent in Maori and he hopes to draw on her strength to take on the Commander' s vision.