Manurewa community groups are banding together in an effort to provide temporary accommodation to the surplus families from Te Puea Marae. The groups have been working with Manurewa marae to look at how their assistance can be provided.
This is the response of the community of Manurewa to this initiative called Whakapiki Ora, to help those in need of housing.
"There are many people in our community who are responding to Rangi McLean and the whānau at the Manurewa marae. We need to ensure those people that need help, can get the help, to do that the whole community needs to rally," says Daniel Newman from Manurewa Action Team, who are helping the marae to get funding, so that it can take care of the needy.
"It is cold we need to ensure we can get the portacom's in, to house the whānau, that the wharekai can provide kai for our people.
We are getting funding applications prepared today, we are tight on deadlines we need to get the applications lodged this week," says Mr Newman.
Last night the marae meet with the community groups and social services.
Manurewa marae spokesperson, Tunuiarangi McLean says, "The government agent WINZ, will send staff to help the marae, and will look at how other government offices can help. Te Puni Kōkiri also came."
The Manurewa Community Board has some money left over in their Māori Responsiveness Fund. Tonight the board will meet to look at giving those monies to the marae. However, right now, the marae is asking for clear containers like these, so that the donations can be easily seen.
Tomorrow morning the Minister of Social Housing, Paula Bennett will meet with the spokesperson of Te Puea Marae in Mt Eden.