An online Marae Kete has been launched by Western Bay of Plenty District Council to help Marae in the District address the practicalities of administering their Marae.

The digital resource was commissioned following requests by Tangata Whenua to Council to develop a toolkit to help the volunteers who manage governance at a Marae level.

Spokesperson for the Tangata Whenua Advisory group, Te Pio Kawe, says Marae are the central point for hapū and iwi.

'It is a place where our culture and language are reaffirmed and celebrated. Our Marae run like well-oiled machines but this resource offers a helping hand when we need it.”

The Western Bay District surrounds Tauranga City and covers 212,000 hectares of coastal, rural and urban areas. The District is culturally diverse with a large Māori population made up of 11 iwi groups, 74 hapū and 23 Marae.

Western Bay Mayor Garry Webber says Māori are critical partners, stakeholders and members of the community.

'We want that relationship to strengthen and flourish and I believe the Marae Kete can contribute to this”

Marae Kete has four sections: Iwi (People); Mahi Whakahaere (Operations); Waahi (Place) and Rauemi (Resources). There is guidance on many kaupapa including Civil Defence Emergency plans, COVID-19 Marae safety plans and Health and Safety plans.

Council's Kaiārahi Ahurea Petera Tapsell is hoping the Kete will be a useful toolkit.

'We know how hard whānau and hapū work to uphold the traditions long-practised on their Marae. We hope this Marae Kete will help cut through the red tape that many Marae encounter at an operational level.

'Marae Kete has been designed by Māori – for Māori. It is literally a kete of helpful information held in one, easily accessible place for our people,” says Petera.

The Marae Kete website is www.maraekete.co.nz. The use of information is free and can be downloaded from the website and shared among whānau and hapū.

Marae will also have access to a resource centre to store all their important information, further streamlining the governance process and ensuring information is not lost through changes to committees.