Fire damages marae buildings

It was a sad day for Hokonui on 13 May, when our rūnanga buildings caught fire. The fire started out in our workshop at the rear of the complex. The workshop shed backs directly on to our ablution blocks inside the main building so the fire caused major damage to those also. Our kitchen, dining room and staff offices were also affected due to the fire raging through the cellings.

This means that three-quarters of our building will have to be demolished and rebuilt. We have been told by the fire inspector that the cause of the fire was due to a rodent chewing through the wires on the shed switchboard.

Over the last two weeks we have managed to get power and network access to our main office. We are slowly getting our office back up and running and are fortunate to still have our main office and meeting room intact so all staff and volunteers are able to stay and work on site. We are in the beginning stages of planning a rebuild – onwards and upwards.

We would like to take this chance to thank all our whānau and the community for their support and offers of assistance during this time. It has been very humbling to realise just how much support we have around us.

Kind regards from the staff, volunteers and whānau at Hokonui.

What remains of the shed.

What remains of the shed.

Outside the ablution block.

Outside the ablution block.

The remains of the dining room.

The remains of the dining room.

The women's section of the ablution block.

The women’s section of the ablution block.