Building better and stronger communities is the main kaupapa of a partnership between Te Puni Kōkiri and the Huakina Development Trust. The two organisations put a Community Development Officer (Kaitātaki a Rohe) in the Franklin district to work with marae for a three-year term.

The project aims to strengthen marae by accessing resources, creating opportunities, and assessing capacity.

The tangible achievements are the main outcomes of the project, but intangible changes will be responsible for its long-term success in strengthening marae communities in Te Puaha o Waikato, says Te Puni Kōkiri’s Tāmaki Makaurau regional director, Pauline Kingi.