Te Pa Eke Tu Project
The Te Pa Eke Tu Project kicked off in October 2015 with the demolition of Hine-i-Tuhia wharekai and the wharepaku block.
See the slideshow below for more info on what the project has been up to since that time.
Regular updates are as follows.
For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here
See the slideshow below for more info on what the project has been up to since that time.
Regular updates are as follows.
For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here
Te Pa Eke Tu - July 2017
Kia ora whanau
The boys have been busy beavers up at the pa, with lots of work to now keep them pumping rain, hail or shine. All our glulam beams have been delivered to build the portals to hold our building up, and this is keeping the guys on site busy during the rainy periods. In the fine weather they've been busy getting the foundation prepped for the pour, which is now ready to go and awaiting the concrete truck to become available.
Wasting no time, the scrape out and footing excavation has been completed for the wharepaku, with some of the footing being poured so that the steel can be laid. The footings have been dug out for the Papawhariki portals, and ready to be poured.
We have had some delays throughout the month, but we're determined to meet the timeframe to have the buildings completed by Christmas.
We've also rejigged the schedule so that the kitchen will be the last foundations to be poured. hence why we've started the wharepaku instead. This is due to ground issues (again!!) associated with trying to do the retaining wall in winter. This work will now need to be completed in the drier months so unfortunately the wall won't be done until after the buildings are complete and the pa is most likely open.
Next steps:
Pour the dining room
Cut the portals for thewharekai
Pour the slab for the wharepaku
Start the kihini
Things are moving along well whanau, let's hope it continues :)
Na te Tima Pa Eke Tu
The boys have been busy beavers up at the pa, with lots of work to now keep them pumping rain, hail or shine. All our glulam beams have been delivered to build the portals to hold our building up, and this is keeping the guys on site busy during the rainy periods. In the fine weather they've been busy getting the foundation prepped for the pour, which is now ready to go and awaiting the concrete truck to become available.
Wasting no time, the scrape out and footing excavation has been completed for the wharepaku, with some of the footing being poured so that the steel can be laid. The footings have been dug out for the Papawhariki portals, and ready to be poured.
We have had some delays throughout the month, but we're determined to meet the timeframe to have the buildings completed by Christmas.
We've also rejigged the schedule so that the kitchen will be the last foundations to be poured. hence why we've started the wharepaku instead. This is due to ground issues (again!!) associated with trying to do the retaining wall in winter. This work will now need to be completed in the drier months so unfortunately the wall won't be done until after the buildings are complete and the pa is most likely open.
Next steps:
Pour the dining room
Cut the portals for thewharekai
Pour the slab for the wharepaku
Start the kihini
Things are moving along well whanau, let's hope it continues :)
Na te Tima Pa Eke Tu
Te Pa Eke Tu - June 2017
Kia ora ano e te whanau
Well, it's been a little while between drinks. I have been trekking around the globe on a bit of roam, but now that I'm home in the best place on earth (now that I've had a bit of a look around - I'm getting more confident in claiming that hehehe) it's time for an update.
April
The month of April was spent getting all the levels sorted for our wharekai building, and building the boxing.
Sand was then laid to start building up the height of the floor, and etch out the foundation pads and tie down beams that will provide the building with it's stability. If you caught one of my Live videos on FB, I chatted a bit about this as we were working out where they would be placed.
We also started sorting out the external painting for our wharepuni. Uncle Peter and the team gave the painter a hand in getting the roof and building prepped, making repairs where required, and helping coordinate scaffolding and electrical expertise for the removal of any exterior wiring.
We also sorted out the drainage issue along the side of Papawhariki and the wharepuni, an issue that has been ongoing since well before the old wharekai came down. This will stop the pooling and flooding we used to get around the gate entrances to Papawhariki.
Well, it's been a little while between drinks. I have been trekking around the globe on a bit of roam, but now that I'm home in the best place on earth (now that I've had a bit of a look around - I'm getting more confident in claiming that hehehe) it's time for an update.
April
The month of April was spent getting all the levels sorted for our wharekai building, and building the boxing.
Sand was then laid to start building up the height of the floor, and etch out the foundation pads and tie down beams that will provide the building with it's stability. If you caught one of my Live videos on FB, I chatted a bit about this as we were working out where they would be placed.
We also started sorting out the external painting for our wharepuni. Uncle Peter and the team gave the painter a hand in getting the roof and building prepped, making repairs where required, and helping coordinate scaffolding and electrical expertise for the removal of any exterior wiring.
We also sorted out the drainage issue along the side of Papawhariki and the wharepuni, an issue that has been ongoing since well before the old wharekai came down. This will stop the pooling and flooding we used to get around the gate entrances to Papawhariki.
May - Rain! Rain! Rain!
Now, while I wasn't here to experience it personally, I saw enough moaning on my Facebook timeline to get an idea of how much rain we received in May and the beginning of June. As can be expected, it had a significant effect on the site works. One extremely undesirable effect of the rain was the wash out of the sand base for our tie down beams and foundation pads. In order to keep the sand where we need it, we had to box it all, which was a little bit fiddly, but most of all time consuming.
While there may have been a lot of downtime on site, the energy was injected into getting materials ordered, confirming drawing specs and planning (and then planning an option B and C dependent to make sure there were contingencies in place). During this time the foundations for Papawhariki were boxed out, and a dinky initiative to keep the birds out of Papawhariki and stop them ruining our nice new concrete. It may look like Christmas with all the tinfoil on ropes, but it seems to be working!
Now, while I wasn't here to experience it personally, I saw enough moaning on my Facebook timeline to get an idea of how much rain we received in May and the beginning of June. As can be expected, it had a significant effect on the site works. One extremely undesirable effect of the rain was the wash out of the sand base for our tie down beams and foundation pads. In order to keep the sand where we need it, we had to box it all, which was a little bit fiddly, but most of all time consuming.
While there may have been a lot of downtime on site, the energy was injected into getting materials ordered, confirming drawing specs and planning (and then planning an option B and C dependent to make sure there were contingencies in place). During this time the foundations for Papawhariki were boxed out, and a dinky initiative to keep the birds out of Papawhariki and stop them ruining our nice new concrete. It may look like Christmas with all the tinfoil on ropes, but it seems to be working!
June
The weather has finally cleared up, and the timing couldn't be better. The weather fined up in time for the delivery of the steel that is going to form the reinforcement of the foundation. Uncle Pete, Jess and the boys will get to work making up the cages that are going to form the base, and the polystyrene blocks to create the rib raft floor are on order, ready to be delivered once they are required. The scheduling and coordination going on at the moment for site requirements is pretty crazy, so I commend uncle Pete. He's doing a great job.
The weather has finally cleared up, and the timing couldn't be better. The weather fined up in time for the delivery of the steel that is going to form the reinforcement of the foundation. Uncle Pete, Jess and the boys will get to work making up the cages that are going to form the base, and the polystyrene blocks to create the rib raft floor are on order, ready to be delivered once they are required. The scheduling and coordination going on at the moment for site requirements is pretty crazy, so I commend uncle Pete. He's doing a great job.
The wharepuni has now received it's roof paint job, and it looks fabulous. The exterior paint is coming along. Like everything else, it has been hampered a bit by the bad weather, but the painting crew are cranking along at every fine weather opportunity they get.
The reviews have been pretty positive regarding the relative state of the whare under the paint. The workmanship was second to none, which has kept the water out and prevented any serious rot. The flaking was at first a bit of concern, but once it was discovered that the paint used had been interior paint (hmmmm...) the flaking made sense. The team are doing a great job, and we're really impressed with their skill and attention to detail. Their love for our whare is represented in the care and quality they are putting in to their work. Thank you, Ivan Smiler and whanau.
The reviews have been pretty positive regarding the relative state of the whare under the paint. The workmanship was second to none, which has kept the water out and prevented any serious rot. The flaking was at first a bit of concern, but once it was discovered that the paint used had been interior paint (hmmmm...) the flaking made sense. The team are doing a great job, and we're really impressed with their skill and attention to detail. Their love for our whare is represented in the care and quality they are putting in to their work. Thank you, Ivan Smiler and whanau.
Restoration
The restoration work has kicked off, with work for the tukutuku panels due to commence shortly. Whanau, this is your opportunity to be involved. We need hands. They don't need to be the most skilled hands in the world, that can be taught. But if you are truly keen to be part of the restoration, and show your tamariki and your mokopuna in years to come how you contributed to the upkeep of our whare, this is one way you can do so. Please get in touch with a committee member or project team member (myself, aunty Char, Tash Irwin or Hine Wharehinga) or alternatively Shaan Te Kani or Ani Leach. We will be running a series of wananga. If you can't be here in body on the day, we would love a contribution to keep our weavers feed and warmed up while they go about some very important work. There will be further opportunities again at the end of the year, when we get the grounds ready for our opening day.
Progress - where are we at?
We are still aiming to be open before the Christmas holidays, and I think that it is still realistic and achievable. There may be landscaping and grounds tidying that needs to be completed during the summer holidays, but could be a great opportunity for whanau who will be home to contribute to the project.
The budget is tracking, and while it might be tight, we are not running over our forecasted expenditure at present.
Next Steps
Complete and pour the dining hall foundation - end of June
Delivery of beams for wharekai - end of June
Drainage and plumbing for kihini - July
Retaining wall and major land works behind buildings - weather dependent
As always, you know the drill whanau. If you want to know anything about the project, come see us. My number is on this page, I'm happy to come and talk to you. No use sitting around your kitchen table by yourselves, eh? Get in touch, I'm more than happy to sit and have a cuppa tea, I'll even bring the biscuits ;)
Na Ranell, matou ko To Tima Pa Eke Tu
The restoration work has kicked off, with work for the tukutuku panels due to commence shortly. Whanau, this is your opportunity to be involved. We need hands. They don't need to be the most skilled hands in the world, that can be taught. But if you are truly keen to be part of the restoration, and show your tamariki and your mokopuna in years to come how you contributed to the upkeep of our whare, this is one way you can do so. Please get in touch with a committee member or project team member (myself, aunty Char, Tash Irwin or Hine Wharehinga) or alternatively Shaan Te Kani or Ani Leach. We will be running a series of wananga. If you can't be here in body on the day, we would love a contribution to keep our weavers feed and warmed up while they go about some very important work. There will be further opportunities again at the end of the year, when we get the grounds ready for our opening day.
Progress - where are we at?
We are still aiming to be open before the Christmas holidays, and I think that it is still realistic and achievable. There may be landscaping and grounds tidying that needs to be completed during the summer holidays, but could be a great opportunity for whanau who will be home to contribute to the project.
The budget is tracking, and while it might be tight, we are not running over our forecasted expenditure at present.
Next Steps
Complete and pour the dining hall foundation - end of June
Delivery of beams for wharekai - end of June
Drainage and plumbing for kihini - July
Retaining wall and major land works behind buildings - weather dependent
As always, you know the drill whanau. If you want to know anything about the project, come see us. My number is on this page, I'm happy to come and talk to you. No use sitting around your kitchen table by yourselves, eh? Get in touch, I'm more than happy to sit and have a cuppa tea, I'll even bring the biscuits ;)
Na Ranell, matou ko To Tima Pa Eke Tu
Te Pa Eke Tu - March 2017
Kia ora ra e te whanau o Te Poho o Rawiri!
Exciting events from this morning indeed! After a rather anxious wait due to weather an all sorts, we finally had our team on site to complete the pour of Papawhariki.
Exciting events from this morning indeed! After a rather anxious wait due to weather an all sorts, we finally had our team on site to complete the pour of Papawhariki.
It was so exciting to watch the trucks roll in with our special 'oneone' coloured concrete that will be the flooring for our Papawhariki. Although the colour will lighten as it dries, it will end up looking like the darker shade below, as we are putting a coating over top to protect the concrete from staining (coffee, tea, red cordial lol) when we host under the cover.
It really does look beautiful whanau, the pictures don't really do it justice. We're so pleased with the result.
So what's happening next?
WHAREKAI!!!!!!
Now that we have done the pour for Papawhariki, we can start on the foundations for the wharekai. Uncle Peter Tupz and his boys are gearing up to start Monday. The work is obviously weather dependent, but in bad weather uncle and the boys will continue work underneath Papawhariki. Our weather report is not looking that flash, so fingers crossed that changes between now and next week!
Wharepuni
We will also start work to get the external painting done for the wharepuni. We envisage this work starting mid April once the contractual side of things are sorted and in place.
So how are we tracking?
We've had a few delays (check out the blog for some of the hairier head-scratching issues we've had to come up with quick solutions for), and I can't guarantee that with us moving into autumn we won't have further weather delays, but we're not that far off track thus far, and if uncle Pete and the boys slay work like they did this morning, then I think we're in good hands. We're definitely hoping to make a little bit of time up through the build of the wharekai, and we're still tracking to be completed by November this year.
Next steps:
Papawhariki piles for new support posts - these will replace the bent, broken and rusted out posts. These weren't exactly on the plan but its work that needs to be done so that we can do it all at the one time and aren't replacing poles for the next 20 years.
Installation of new posts
Painting for wharepuni including the roof and mattress room - estimated to take roughly 6 weeks
Start wharekai rib raft
We've had some enthusiastic peeps willing to volunteer their time to the project which is awesome! We always need a hand for working bees, as we like to do as much of the grunt work as we can ourselves so if you're wondering how you can help, there is definitely an avenue!
My number is 0275318452 - always happy to take a call from keen volunteers that want to give their time to their pa. If we get enough interest, we could start setting up a real programme for this spring/summer.
Na Te Tima Pa Eke Tu
So what's happening next?
WHAREKAI!!!!!!
Now that we have done the pour for Papawhariki, we can start on the foundations for the wharekai. Uncle Peter Tupz and his boys are gearing up to start Monday. The work is obviously weather dependent, but in bad weather uncle and the boys will continue work underneath Papawhariki. Our weather report is not looking that flash, so fingers crossed that changes between now and next week!
Wharepuni
We will also start work to get the external painting done for the wharepuni. We envisage this work starting mid April once the contractual side of things are sorted and in place.
So how are we tracking?
We've had a few delays (check out the blog for some of the hairier head-scratching issues we've had to come up with quick solutions for), and I can't guarantee that with us moving into autumn we won't have further weather delays, but we're not that far off track thus far, and if uncle Pete and the boys slay work like they did this morning, then I think we're in good hands. We're definitely hoping to make a little bit of time up through the build of the wharekai, and we're still tracking to be completed by November this year.
Next steps:
Papawhariki piles for new support posts - these will replace the bent, broken and rusted out posts. These weren't exactly on the plan but its work that needs to be done so that we can do it all at the one time and aren't replacing poles for the next 20 years.
Installation of new posts
Painting for wharepuni including the roof and mattress room - estimated to take roughly 6 weeks
Start wharekai rib raft
We've had some enthusiastic peeps willing to volunteer their time to the project which is awesome! We always need a hand for working bees, as we like to do as much of the grunt work as we can ourselves so if you're wondering how you can help, there is definitely an avenue!
My number is 0275318452 - always happy to take a call from keen volunteers that want to give their time to their pa. If we get enough interest, we could start setting up a real programme for this spring/summer.
Na Te Tima Pa Eke Tu
Te Pa Eke Tu - January 2017
Kia ora mai koutou katoa, nga mihi mahana mo te tau hou hoki
Well, it has definitely been a busy couple of months up at the pa! In the last update we gave a start date for work to commence on site.
We started on time, as we had stated, and since then our builder has been working with his crew and his subbies to get Papawhariki cleared, and organise the excavation and back fill of the wharekai site.
Papawhariki was cleared and shored up, and a decision made not concrete the foundations in case the excavation of the wharekai site caused undermining and cracking of the new foundation. We were then ready to commence the excavation in the New Year.
On 16 January the excavators rolled in, definitely a sight for sore eyes!
Well, it has definitely been a busy couple of months up at the pa! In the last update we gave a start date for work to commence on site.
We started on time, as we had stated, and since then our builder has been working with his crew and his subbies to get Papawhariki cleared, and organise the excavation and back fill of the wharekai site.
Papawhariki was cleared and shored up, and a decision made not concrete the foundations in case the excavation of the wharekai site caused undermining and cracking of the new foundation. We were then ready to commence the excavation in the New Year.
On 16 January the excavators rolled in, definitely a sight for sore eyes!
Since then work has progressed quickly, and we are currently tracking dead on schedule to have excavation and back fill completed by the end of January.
This is what the footprint of the wharekai looks like (including paving around the exterior of the building):
This is what the footprint of the wharekai looks like (including paving around the exterior of the building):
Next Steps:
The next couple of months should prove to be exciting as our whare and pa start to take shape.
Na Te Tima Pa Eke Tu
- Complete the base for the foundation pour of the kihini
- Piles for foundations
- Rib raft for the wharekai foundations
- Pour
The next couple of months should prove to be exciting as our whare and pa start to take shape.
Na Te Tima Pa Eke Tu
Te Pa Eke Tu Special Update - November 2016
Nga mihi o te wa ki a koutou te whanau o Te Poho o Rawiri
On Tuesday 29 November the AGM for Te Poho o Rawiri marae was held up at the pa.
The project team were excited to announce that we are scheduled to start the project in earnest on Monday 5 December!!!
There will be a karakia at 5am on Saturday 3 December, on site, to ensure the wellbeing of all those kaimahi who will be working on the project.
Nau mai Haere mai, me te whakaaro “Ko to rourou, me toku rourou, ka ora ai tatou katoa”
Please bring a plate and your flask.
All welcome.
Additional update to the AGM meeting:
At the AGM we announced that we would start excavation on Monday 5 Dec.
I met with uncle Peter Tupara yesterday, and the earthwork guys are still worried about hitting the water table with the depth of excavation for the wharekai, which could cause major headaches and be costly. In order to lessen the risk, they'd like to wait until after Christmas to give the water table as much time as possible to lower. Again, these are major earthworks, it's important we're making the right decisions.
So uncle Peter is going to start on Papawhariki first, which we would have always poured first due to logistics and access.
So on Monday 5 Dec uncle and his boys will be on site to get Papawhariki ready and start dismantling the stage.
He will then get Siteworx in to excavate out all the sand and get it ready for its pour.
Hopefully we will be able to get concrete in at this time of the year to pour the slab.
This should take us up to Christmas. The crew will take a break, and resume work on Monday 9 January.
Naku noa mo te wa nei
Te Tima Pa Eke Tu
On Tuesday 29 November the AGM for Te Poho o Rawiri marae was held up at the pa.
The project team were excited to announce that we are scheduled to start the project in earnest on Monday 5 December!!!
There will be a karakia at 5am on Saturday 3 December, on site, to ensure the wellbeing of all those kaimahi who will be working on the project.
Nau mai Haere mai, me te whakaaro “Ko to rourou, me toku rourou, ka ora ai tatou katoa”
Please bring a plate and your flask.
All welcome.
Additional update to the AGM meeting:
At the AGM we announced that we would start excavation on Monday 5 Dec.
I met with uncle Peter Tupara yesterday, and the earthwork guys are still worried about hitting the water table with the depth of excavation for the wharekai, which could cause major headaches and be costly. In order to lessen the risk, they'd like to wait until after Christmas to give the water table as much time as possible to lower. Again, these are major earthworks, it's important we're making the right decisions.
So uncle Peter is going to start on Papawhariki first, which we would have always poured first due to logistics and access.
So on Monday 5 Dec uncle and his boys will be on site to get Papawhariki ready and start dismantling the stage.
He will then get Siteworx in to excavate out all the sand and get it ready for its pour.
Hopefully we will be able to get concrete in at this time of the year to pour the slab.
This should take us up to Christmas. The crew will take a break, and resume work on Monday 9 January.
Naku noa mo te wa nei
Te Tima Pa Eke Tu
Te Pa Eke Tu Project Update - November 2016
Kia ora ano whanau
On Sunday 20 November 2016 the pa held a hapu hui to discuss amongst other things, progress of the rebuild project.
There were some really good questions asked of the project team, including why it was taking so long to start on site. While it is fair to say it has taken a long time to get moving, rest assured there are things going on in the background and we are hoping to start shortly.
Below is the slideshow that was presented to the hapu.
The project team was asked if the geotechnical reports for the land and soil investigations could be made available.
The documents are made available at the link below.
drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-hQDf5jp1ecdzc4b0RadWlKZDQ
Further updates will be added after our AGM.
Nga mihi mahana kia koutou katoa
Ranell
On Sunday 20 November 2016 the pa held a hapu hui to discuss amongst other things, progress of the rebuild project.
There were some really good questions asked of the project team, including why it was taking so long to start on site. While it is fair to say it has taken a long time to get moving, rest assured there are things going on in the background and we are hoping to start shortly.
Below is the slideshow that was presented to the hapu.
The project team was asked if the geotechnical reports for the land and soil investigations could be made available.
The documents are made available at the link below.
drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-hQDf5jp1ecdzc4b0RadWlKZDQ
Further updates will be added after our AGM.
Nga mihi mahana kia koutou katoa
Ranell
Te Pa Eke Tu Project Update - October 2016
We now have a kitchen layout sussed whanau!
We have tried to incorporate a free flowing, easy to clean, easy to maintain design that will allow for maximum efficiency when catering for some of the big numbers we get through out dining room doors.
Kitchen includes:
A chiller and separate pantry (cool store)
Mobile benches with built in scrape holes
Commercial dishwasher
A Tilt pan
A combi oven
Lots of storage to put things like bread trays and dish trolleys out of the way
Check out below for our kitchen design:
We have tried to incorporate a free flowing, easy to clean, easy to maintain design that will allow for maximum efficiency when catering for some of the big numbers we get through out dining room doors.
Kitchen includes:
A chiller and separate pantry (cool store)
Mobile benches with built in scrape holes
Commercial dishwasher
A Tilt pan
A combi oven
Lots of storage to put things like bread trays and dish trolleys out of the way
Check out below for our kitchen design:
Te Pa Eke Tu project Update - August 2016
Exciting news whanau - we have received approval for our variation from Lotteries Commission!
The project team received the following advice 31 August 2016:
"I am pleased to advise you that the Committee has approved the following:
· An extension of the period of the grant from 3 0ctober 2016 to 30 November 2017
· A variation to exclude the renovation of the wharekarakia from the project and to allocate additional resources to the rebuilding of the wharekai."
This is awesome news, and means that we will be able to reallocate funds into our wharekai foundations.
Other successes in the month of August:
Mauri ora!
The project team received the following advice 31 August 2016:
"I am pleased to advise you that the Committee has approved the following:
· An extension of the period of the grant from 3 0ctober 2016 to 30 November 2017
· A variation to exclude the renovation of the wharekarakia from the project and to allocate additional resources to the rebuilding of the wharekai."
This is awesome news, and means that we will be able to reallocate funds into our wharekai foundations.
Other successes in the month of August:
- 3 amazing working bees - Papawhariki has been cleaned out, the pavers have been lifted and stacked on pallets ready for their new home, the front garden is now weed free and a lovely blank canvas for us to plan a beautiful entrance to our marae
- Landscaping plan underway
- Fire design for new buildings completed
- Exterior colours for the buildings are to match traditional colours always represented at the pa
- Wharepuni restoration planning is underway
- Kitchen appliances are being finalised
Mauri ora!