Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua - I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past
Whare Akoranga – House of Learning As we accelerate into the new century, Green Bay High School has taken the best of our past and weaved it into a fresh vision for our future. That is true of the whole school, including Te Roopo o Kākāriki Marae, replacing the old and rotten buildings but keeping its essence.
Kaumatua Pat Heremaia, who initiated the Marae to built on our school back in 1976, was fully involved in the decision to re-build the Marae, which over time had became rotten and in need of major repair. Pat’s ongoing consultation and guidance ensured the transition to our current Whare Akoranga followed tikanga (correct protocols, customs, and respect). We were extremely privileged to have Kaumatua Pat Heremaia officiate the whakanoa transition and renewal ceremony on 20 June 2012, to commence the process of Te Roopo O Kākāriki Marae’s transition into a new Whare Akoranga. The date of the whakanoa marked an auspicious time for our ceremony, celebrating new beginnings, with Matariki starting the very next day.
The whakanoa ceremony included removing tapu from the carvings and was an important process, allowing the way for tangata whenua to dismantle the carvings and for buildings to proceed. Original carvings and other significant artifacts that are in sound condition will eventually be incorporated into the new building. However, some carvings, which were beyond repair, were farewelled during the whakanoa transition. Kaumatua Pat Heremaia blessed our new building at its official opening (2012) attended by students, staff, distinguished guests, and members of the public.
The Kākāriki Trust’s mission was to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the Marae in relation to the school community, therefore our Marae was redeveloped as a Whare Akoranga – House of Learning – in a 21st century learning environment. It has retained its visible presence and stands as an acknowledgement of bi-culturalism, central to our school and to the uniqueness of New Zealand.
'Kua hinga te tōtara o Te Waonui a Tāne' (the tōtara in the great forest of Tāne has fallen) Kaumatua and foundation staff member, Pat Heremaia, sadly passed away in May 2016, and is laid to rest at Te Moengaroa Urupa, in Taranaki.
