As mentioned earlier our journey started 4 years ago, part of that journey involved gaining council land. Several meetings with council and final approval by the Mangere Community Board - a milestone at that. We successfully signed a lease with Manukau City Council for 10 years.
As part of our Samoan culture anything new that was going to be laid, built or started required a blessing of the land which was conducted by Rev Kafarelli Sasagi, Pastor Steve McRobie and Kaumatua's Jim Rauwhero and Jack Massam.
Part of my mission as project manager (and teacher background) was to implement our Te Tiriti o Waitangi committment passed on to me through the passion of my former lecturer Elaine Derbyshire. Establishing our partnerships and consultation process involved our local Maori people - our tangata whenua is vital to our existence. So through several phone calls and meetings, the Mangere Maori Wardens Association and Rev Jim Rauwhero guided us through the protocols and blessing at Cleek Rd, Mangere.
"Oh Happy Day", tuesday was signifcant for our children, parents, staff, reps from different organisations and our community. Our dream had become a reality. Our children had drawn pictures and names of all the people involved in the journey which was put into a time capsule buried at the entrance. As Malelega lay the capsule Pastor Steve poured red wine over it as a symbol of cleansing and foundation for future generations to come. Our children sang "Come and go with me to my Fathers House". The ceremony ended in prayer by Rev Sasagi and words of encouragement by Kaumatua Jim Rauwhero and Jack Massam.
We are firm believers that if you do things the right way, the future opens doors to possibilities and blessings for generations to come.
1 comment:
The ceremony started late however it was very moving being there.
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