Miriam, Hannah, Marina Lou and I were visitors at Rapaki Marae a few days ago. It is the childhood home of Maata Smith one of our past DPs. I was so thrilled to walk in the places that she used to run and play in as a child. Her sister Rhea’s house was right in front of the office where we met.
We were taken through the lower urupā into the historic church and introduced to tupuna from their pictures in the wall. They would’ve been Maata’s whanau too.
We went to the wharf named Gallipoli in honour of Māori men who fought in the war and many did not return. Maata fell off that wharf as a child and apparently the whole marae heard her and had to rescue their “Princess” Maata.(She called herself that.)
I had no idea that there was a native school there where Māori children were made to attend and learn in English with te reo forbidden. They also did not attend school with pakeha children. The school is being restored and will be repurposed as a learning hub.
On the front lawn Of the church, facing the sea is a beautiful statue of a Mother and child which was gifted to them by the people of Parihaka to commemorate the role the people of Rapaki played in sustaining the men and boys of Parihaka as they were incarcerated in several places on the harbour, and suffered appallingly as they were dragged around the South Island. Apparently some of the Rapaki people travelled to Wellington to bring some women and children across to see their sons, husbands and fathers.
The whare Wheke is beautiful, as are the kitchen and facilities.
I loved it because it brought Maata’s stories to life for me.
We have been talking about creating connection and partnership with Rapaki and maybe giving back rather than always asking for help and information. Jared talked to us last year about his involvement with his local marae rather than just constantly asking them to share their taonga with us.
One idea is that we raise seedlings for them at school and then periodically come over and plant the seedlings according to the restoration plan they have had drawn up.
We were so enthusiastic after our visit and especially knowing that there is a rich history there just over the hill from us.
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