‘It hits different cos it’s ours’: What owning our whare means to our whānau
“It’s a gift that’s passed down from generation to generation.”
When Kataraina Davis got a notification from Westpac saying her request for a home loan was accepted – she broke down in tears. Especially knowing it would be so much more than just a house.
The whare is part of Hawaiki Street, a papakāinga development by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in Tāmaki Makaurau. It means not only does her whānau have their first whare, they are also connected to their marae, iwi and culture.
“Every night, we come here [to the marae] and practice whaikõrero, learn karanga and te reo and learn our whakapapa. For so many of us that wasn’t a part of our everyday life.
“The kids need to know, this is your gift for the coming years.”
In this new Re: series, My First Whare, made in partnership with Westpac, we hear about how financial education changed the lives of five whānau, and how it helped them buy their first home. Watch the full series on TVNZ+.
