Late in 2019, after a long hunt for suitable new office space, Whakauae moved from 60 Ridgway Street to number 19 Ridgway Street, Whanganui adjacent to Pakaitore and the Whanganui River. Te Āti Haunui-ā-Pāpārangi kaumatua John Maihi, Gina Maihi and Pastor Gavin Brooks opened the new office with karakia and a blessing on the morning of 29 November 2019. Whakauae was gifted with taonga and John Maihi formally bestowed the name Whakauae Raro on the premises during the blessing. Thanks to our incredibly organised administration team, we were able to move into the new premises straight away and by the following week it was business as usual.
On the evening of Friday 21 February 2020 following our first Board meeting for the 2020 year, Ngāti Hauiti whānau joined the Whakauae team and other guests, in ‘warming' the new workspace. Utiku Potaka welcomed everyone present before handing over to the Whakauae founding director, Dr Heather Gifford. Heather gave a brief address outlining the successful 15-year history of the organisation, the origins of its name and how the organisation has grown from its humble beginnings. Current Whakauae director, Dr Amohia Boulton concluded the formal speeches. She acknowledged the honour that she had been given by Ngāti Hauiti to lead the Iwi's research arm. Amohia encouraged Ngāti Hauiti whānau to stay close to Whakauae and to make use of the research opportunities that the organisation has to offer. Additionally, she took the opportunity to formally acknowledge the work of weaver, Peggy Ranginui-Poutini (Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi) which was commissioned by Whakauae and recently installed in the office foyer. Peggy's weaving is complemented by a set of four prints by artist and 2019 Whakauae Pae Tawhiti Scholarship holder, Maihi Potaka (Ngāti Hauiti, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Manawa).
Tours of the new Whakauae workspace followed the formalities along with an evening of refreshment and kōrero.
At the office ‘warming': Tracey Hiroa (left) with Whakauae Board Directors, Dr Erica Williams and Anthony Thompson
