Te Manuao, one of the key buildings at Rātana, will be upgraded. Photo: LDR / Moana Ellis
Rātana Pā will receive $10.1 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to fix failing marae buildings.
The funding will be used to make structural upgrades including improvements to two of the Rangitīkei settlement's main buildings, Manuao - the iconic building at the centre of large events - and Orakeinui, the original Rātana family homestead.
Thousands of people gather at Rātana Pā, near Whanganui, in January each year to celebrate the birthday of prophet and founder of the Rātana Church, Tahupōtiki Wiremu Rātana.
"This is an extremely important day, not just for Rātana members, but marks the beginning of the new political year, where politicians of all stripes give an accounting of their past mahi and over the year to come," Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said in a joint statement with Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka.
He said the facilities have been deteriorating and repairs and maintenance have relied on volunteer resources, donations and a small income generated from annual events.
"Without the necessary upgrades, some buildings at Rātana Pā would need to be closed which could leave the community unable to host annual Rātana celebrations or Rātana Church events - events that bring visitors to the region."
A further $10.2m has been granted to repair and upgrade buildings at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Northland.
"These are both nationally significant places, not just for Māori, but for many other Kiwis," the Minister said.
Potaka said the upgrades at Rātana and Waitangi would mean safer conditions for visitors and residents and would preserve national history.
"These sites are an important part of our country's story and ensuring they are well maintained means they will continue to be," Potaka said.
Talia Anderson-Town, a trustee of Rātana Orakeinui Trust, said the grant would be used to address some major and long-standing issues, including roofing leaks, sinking foundations and hazardous building materials.
The Trust is the funding agency for the Rātana Church movement and community, and will receive and administer the government funding.
Politicians are welcomed to Rātana Pā in January this year for the annual celebrations. Photo: LDR / Moana Ellis
Anderson-Town said the amount of the grant came as "a big surprise".
"This is a significant grant. It is the first time we have received significant government funding for the work that needs to be done on those buildings and we are very grateful."
Anderson-Town said the Regional Development Minister reached out during the January 25th celebrations this year.
"He opened the door for discussions to see how they could help.
"When we got tradies in to look at what needed doing so that we could continue to host people and large events, the level of deterioration was revealed.
"Manuao is more than 40 years old. There has been a bit of wear and tear.
"We are looking at an extensive renovation of large-scale buildings that host thousands of people every year. The main thing is making sure the structure is sound."
Roofing will be redesigned and replaced.
"It has internal gutters and there are leaking problems. We will need an architect and engineer."
Foundations have sunk in some places, and flooring and walls will be replaced.
"Some of the materials used in the 1980s, when Manuao was re-established, have asbestos in them. We will be making the building safer for the people who use it.
"We will focus on getting the buildings up to really good standard so that we can continue to host events for the next 40-50 years, for the generations to come."
The original Manuao and Kii Koopu cooking facility was built in 1938. In the 1980s, the Rātana community embarked on a major fundraising effort to rebuild the structure.
"It cost a million dollars back in those days. It was built on donations that were given by followers of the church and on funds raised by mātoro (entertainment), when the Rātana brass band and kapa haka travelled and put on big fundraising shows."
Anderson-Town said the full scope of today's renovations and upgrades would cost more than $10m.
"We have had to go through and prioritise what needs to be done. We will make sure we maximise what we can achieve with the money to make sure all the priority work is completed at the right price.
"It would be fantastic to modernise the building and implement technology in the conference room. For example, we don't have air conditioning or fans … it would be luxury to have those installed but our focus is on prioritising the basics of the build."
Structural work will begin after next year's 25th celebrations, with the work expected to take a year.
"Our target is to complete the mahi by 2026," Anderson-Town said.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
