Rāpaki – Te Hapu o Ngati Wheke
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
FOR THE BENEFICIARIES OF RĀPAKI MARAE
A special general meeting for the beneficiaries of Rāpaki Marae is being held at Rāpaki Marae, 37 Rāpaki Drive, Rāpaki, Lyttelton on 6 August 2011 at 1pm. At this meeting resolutions will be proposed to adopt a Charter for Rāpaki Marae. All members of the Hapū of Ngāti Wheke who are 18 years of age and over are entitled to vote. Voting can be in person at the meeting or by postal vote provided that for postal votes authorized forms are used, properly completed, and received at the Rāpaki Office at least two working days before the meeting.
If you want to obtain a copy of the draft Charter, or postal voting forms, please contact Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Incorporated Rūnanga Office phone 03 328 9415 or email rapaki@xtra.co.nz.
Rāpaki Trustees
Rāpaki is a small settlement on the eastern shoreline of Whakaraupō (Lyttelton Harbour), home to one of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu's five Banks Peninsula papatipu rūnanga - Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke.
Te Poho o Tamatea
The maunga that overlooks Rāpaki is Te Poho o Tamatea (the breast of Tamatea), named after the great navigator and explorer Tamatea Pōkai Whenua - the first recorded person to sail into the harbour on his waka Takatimu, in the 14th century.
Te Rāpaki o Rakiwhakaputa
'Rāpaki' refers to the chief Te Rakiwhakaputa who laid claim to the bay by throwing down his Rāpaki (waist mat) on its shores, in the 1700’s. The full name of the bay is Te Rāpaki o Te Rakiwhakaputa. After securing Rāpaki as Ngāi Tahu territory he continued south leaving his son Te Wheke to establish the settlement.
Historic Development
After the land purchases of the 1840s a Maori reserve was set aside at Rapaki. Throughout the ‘50s the population grew, and in 1865 a Maori Mission was established, with a church built and dedicated in 1869. A schoolhouse was opened in 1878, and the runaka hall Te Wheke was opened on 30th December 1901. The Rāpaki jetty was opened in 1916, and named Gallipoli in remembrance of local men who fought and died there in WW1.
Rāpaki Today
Marae redevelopment is a major focus for Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke. A whare whakairo will replace Te Wheke in 2010. Many hours have gone into weaving and carving features that will grace the inside of this special building and represent the rich history of Te Rakiwhakaputa and his descendants.
Other long term projects include restoration of the harbour, restoration of the local stream, and regeneration of native bush in the area. Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke also works to ensure that a tangata whenua perspective is brought to wider community issues and projects within the rohe.