Pukemokimoki marae

I joined the friends and whanau mourning the sad, untimely passing of Maraenui stalwart Wally Hooper at the Pukemokimoki marae last night then again as he was taken off to his home marae in Te Araroa this morning.  It made me realise how important having our urban, community marae is to the people of Napier.

Last night, I went on to the marae with a group from the Maraenui Rugby and Sports Club (I'm on the committee) of which Wally was a long-time member.  He lay in state, surrounded by his family, as we all paid our respects, cried and sang and then hongied and hugged each other.  Shared kai in the dining room afterwards enabled us to share our stories of Wally, and strengthen our connections with each other.

Since Wally arrived at Pukemokimoki late Sunday night, thousands of people, including Kohanga Reo tamariki,  have come to say goodbye to Wally.  He was a pou, an important senior manager, in one of Maraenui's kohanga reo, E Tipu E Rea Taraia Kohanga Reo, which he had strengthened and supported in very practical, loving ways.  So tamariki and staff from the many Kohanga in the area visited him at Pukemokimoki.

Where else could this have happened?  Today when I attended the church service at the marae, in the whare where he lay, about 200 people were there, till he was carried out the gates and started his final journey up the coast.

If we had no urban marae, his body probably would have laid in state at a family member's house, putting untold stresses and strains on the family, the street (parking problems!) and probably put many of us off visiting.  But at Pukemokimoki, the facility is almost purpose built for people to stay overnight, to host and feed large numbers of people, in tikanga Maori fashion.  It is warm, it is welcoming, and the hospitality genuine.

As well, the marae is alcohol free, so no one was drowing their sorrows - and often creating more! - around this sad event. 

So I'm grateful that we have this urban marae - a truly beautiful place, where our Maori and pakeha history is honoured and celebrated - to allow us all to experience tikanga Maori without feeling like an outsider.  

Haere Ra, farewell, Wally Hooper:  you made a huge difference to those whose lives you touched, and you will always be remembered.