Leading from the front issuu

chapter eleven
Maraenui — BY
WHĀNAU FOR WHĀNAU,
anything is possible
Pat’s connection with Maraenui began in 1965
when the YMCA moved into the premises of a
former milk treatment plant on the fringe of the
‘Nui’ in Latham Street. He soon got to know the area and
its people well. As his father did before him, Pat felt a
connection with the Tangata Whenua; he had empathy
for where they were at and the challenges they’d faced
and are still facing, under colonisation and urbanisation.
“They’re warm and generous regardless”, says Pat.
As a community Justice of the Peace for 32 years, he
has attended Napier Court sessions in a volunteer support
role most Wednesdays for years and there he witnesses
week after week the stark reminders of the needs
in Maraenui.
“It will be a great day when Tangata Whenua can have
a go at self-determination again and that day will come
when we honour the Treaty of Waitangi. When our own
history is being taught in schools starting next year,
when the nation knows our own history, then Tangata
Whenua will be free to determine their reality in a way
that supports them”.
Since the middle of 2020 Pat has been an even more
familiar, friendly face around Maraenui Shopping Centre.
His deep connection with Maraenui is another example
of how he walks his talk, consistently raising and maintaining
public awareness around inequity in the community,
which is one of the three Pilot City Trust goals.
Opening up another ‘branch office’ of the Pilot City
Trust outside The Pie Man in the shopping centre, there’s
no way you can miss him. It’s an ideal spot for foot traffic,
a lot of people stop and chat, and Pat usually shouts
a coffee and a pie. “Being on the street is the best thing
you can do, just being there, listening to people and finding
out ways to help”.
The Pie Man outreach has doubled in people power
and expanded its services recently, with Lisa Rattray
joining the team. Several of his shipmates top up his
café account so he and Lisa can offer maanikitanga
trust-style.
The new Maraenui office joins Pat’s first “branch” at
Poppies Café in Hastings St, Napier, which has been
open for years now. Right next door to the Napier Court
House, Pat has had hundreds of koreros and coffee over
the years.
Opposite: Artwork from Tamatea High School Art Department; Above: The hugely successful Koha Shed in Longfellow Ave; Pat and
new Pilot City Trust foot soldier Lisa Rattray, sharing whānau advice at The Pie Man “office” at Maraenui Shopping Centre.
Maraenui – by whānau for whānau, anything is possible 99