May 12, 2021
Rehua Marae builds on trade training legacy
A former Christchurch hostel for Māori trade trainees has been redeveloped into six rental apartments.
Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson says Te Koti Te Rato at Rehua Marae was an important place for generations of Māori, and the $3.4 million refit means it can meet today’s needs.
He says the one and two bedroom apartments he opened today will allow whānau to be part of the life of an urban marae, living in a kaupapa Māori environment.
"I want to congratulate Te Whatū Manawa Māoritanga o Rehua Trust Board for keeping this kaupapa alive and a bit of history there because a lot of our people went down there for Māori trade training, so it's a great opportunity to celebrate our kaupapa, papakaing," Mr Jackson says.
The ground floor of the redeveloped 50-year-old building houses wrap-around health services and the marae office, while the six new apartments add to the four kaumātua flats that have been on the marae for some time.
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