Maori Buildings and the Historic Places Trust

Tu Tangata, Issue 7, 1 August 1982, Page 37

Maori Buildings and the Historic Places Trust

Preserving historic Maori buildings and structures, and protecting traditional Maori sites are the main concerns of the Maori Buildings and Advisory Committee of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

The main emphasis of the committee has been the preservation of historic Maori buildings and structures, which have included meeting houses, pataka, wooden memorial headboards, churches, niu poles and monuments. If a building is historic: and can be restored to its original appearance, the committee will consider helping any scheme for its preservation. Assistance cannot be given to construct new buildings or carvings, because it is the traditional and historic structure that the trust helps with. If a historic building is to be restored to its original appearance, the trust can offer technical and specialist assistance to restore carvings and other artwork, financial grants towards the cost of materials, or a combination of both of these.

TRADITIONAL SITES:

The protection of a traditional Maori site, defined as "a place or site that is important for its historical significance, or spiritual or emotional association with the Maori people" is also a concern of the Maori Buildings and Advisory Committee. However because the Historic Places Act 1980 has only been in force since 1 February 1981, its effectiveness in protecting these sites is not vet known.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Mr Apirana Mahuika. is the immediate past chairman of this committee, and during his term, the work, finance, and the use of modern conservation methods increased greatly.

The new chairwoman is Mrs Lena Manuel, of Wairoa. who is also the New Zealand Maori Council nominee on the Historic Places Trust Board.

Other members of the committee are: Dr Neil Begg. of Dunedin (chairman of the board): Mr Steven O'Regan, of Wellington: Mr Maui Puma re. of Plimmerton: Dr Keith Sorrenson. Professor of History at Auckland University. Mr Geoff Thornton, the former assistant Government architect; and Mr Cliff Whiting, of Russell. The combined knowledge. skills and representation of these members provides a talented and expert committee able to undertake the work of the Trust.

HOTUROA EXAMPLE

A recent example of assistance is the Hoturoa meeting house on the Aotearoa marae at Kihikihi. An architectural report was obtained which assessed the work needed to upgrage the meeting house. A grant was given to help pav for the materials, with the local people providing other materials and the labour. A conservator for the trust visited the marae and reported on the work needed to conserve and restore the carvings and the painted kowhaiwhai patterns. The conservator then worked on the marae with the local people to teach them the skills of conserving their own house. Further examples of projects assisted by the Trust are: The Rahiri meeting house at Dargaville architectural advice and a grant for materials. Te Ahurewa Maori church at Motueka a grant for materials for restoration. The Makahae meeting house on Te Kahika marae technical advice and help in restoring the carvings. The Poho o Rukupo meeting house at Manutuke in 1977 the Trust arranged a summer school to clean and repaint the interior artwork, and the exterior carvings. The niu pole at Kuranui conservation and restoration was done by a Trust conservator. TRUST FILM

The school at Manutuke, which also involved the Rogopai meeting house at Waituhi near Gisborne, was recorded by the Pacific Films Limited of Wellington. It shows conservator Mr Los Lloyd with his staff and the local people cleaning and later repainting the interior and exterior of To Polio o Rukupo, and the interior of Rongopai. The original and elaborately painted porch panels from a meeting house near Tuai were also brought to the restoration school. The film "From Where The Spirit Calls" can be borrowed from: Advisory Officer New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Private Mag. Wellington