Local kaumātua got a history lesson from one of their own when they attended a 50-year celebration of the vision that has had a big part in shaping what Ōtaki is today.

At Raukawa Marae on February 23, Rupene Waaka talked about how a programe of iwi development known Whakatupuranga Rua Mano Generation 2000 (WRM) came about. Its objective was to prepare the three iwi of the ART confederation – Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Raukwa and Ngāti Toa – for the 21st century, particularly through education.

Rupene outlined some of the history that led to the formation of WRM, including the role of the Raukawa Marae Trust. The trust had been established by the Māori Land Court in 1936, mainly to administer the marae in Ōtaki, which was opened in the same year.

However, with the adoption of WRM in 1975, the responsibilities of trustees expanded considerably.

In the early 1970s, achievement of Māori children in the education system was about half that of the general population. WRM aimed to close the gap and rejuvenate te reo Māori.

Alongside this was an objective of rejuvenating the confederation’s marae.

Whatarangi Winiata, widely regarded as the architect of WRM, said in a paper to the NZ Planning Council in 1979:

“The threat of continuing disintegration of marae communities and their values is present and the existence of this is the reason for adopting as a sub-objective the rejuvenation of all marae associated with the trustees by the year 2000.

“This means making each marae the best home in the iwi or hapū in physical terms with increasing numbers of kai-kōrero (speakers), kai karanga (women able to karanga), kai waiata (people able to waiata), kai karakia (able to take spiritual services), ringa wera (kitchen workers) and other active participants.”

About the same time, the Raukawa Marae Trust proposed that a centre of learning be established in Ōtaki. Te Wānanga o Raukawa – the first Māori tertiary institution in the country – was established in 1981 and began teaching in 1984.

Rupene said Joe Rennie had the vision for WRM in 1970, and called on the ART confederation to adopt a process in which knowledge and traditions could be passed on.

“A committee was formed on June 7, 1970, with Iwi Nicholson as chair, and it was called Te Kura Wānanga o Raukawa,” Rupene said.

He said in November 1975, Whatarangi Winiata wrote a letter to the Raukawa trustees. He reflected on the role of the trustees, saying: “. . . In my thinking had been the view that the concern of the trustees embraces the development of our people, and is not limited to trusteeship over a few tangible assets (such as land and buildings).”

He also wrote: “The wealth and potential embodied in our people far exceed the tangible wealth controlled by the Raukawa trustees and the Ōtaki Porirua Trust Board. It is for the development of this human store of wealth that I am anxiously seeking avenues.”

Rupene said Whatarangi successfully continued the work that had been part of the vision of many people before him.