09 February 2012
Airport marae naming will wait for Queen’s burial
18 August 2006
By Qiane Corfield: Te Waha Nui Online
The naming of Auckland International Airport’s marae could be delayed following the death of Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
A meeting between local kaumatua to decide the name of the wharenui (meeting house) was initially scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed.
Later that night, Dame Te Atairangikaahu died at Turangawaewae marae in Ngaruawahia.
Dame Te Ata was going to be notified of the name following the meeting.
With her death new plans need to be made.
One important role of the airport marae will be to serve as a place for bereaved families to be reunited with the bodies of loved ones who have died overseas.
Other roles will include official functions for farewelling and welcoming dignitaries, educational programmes and cultural events.
The marae is scheduled to open in November this year, but marae trustee David Hansen says this could be delayed.
“Plans have to be reviewed,” he says.
“Dates may be altered, but it’s all up in the air at the moment until we find out more about the funeral.”
The airport marae is a partnership between the Maori Queen, on behalf of Tainui, and Auckland International Airport. The deal was formalised in March 2003.
Dame Te Ata is currently laying in state at Turangawaewae marae.
Tens of thousands of people from across the country are expected to pay their respects at the marae this weekend.
The burial will be held on Monday on Taupiri Mountain. State highway one is expected to be closed for the duration of the ceremony.
