Win a copy of Marae - Te Tatau Pounamu: A Journey Around New Zealand's Meeting Houses

Liam Butler
Marae - Te Tatau Pounamu: A Journey Around New Zealand's Meeting Houses $80 RRP Random House NZ
This is not just the book of the year. It is a book generations of New Zealanders will revere as it is a magnificent documentation of - and tribute to - New Zealand's wharenui, big and small.
Along with Robin & Sam Bishop Muru Walters who wrote this book. Bishop Muru is a very well known Anglican minister. He is also a master carver, poet, broadcaster and former Maori All Black. His son Robin is a photographer and filmmaker who is director at Curious Films. Sam Walters, Robin's wife, is a photographer. Together the Walters spent three years visiting some of this country's major meeting houses as well as many of the more humble ones - houses that serve smaller hapu and iwi - to bring together a beautiful photographic book on the meeting house.
Question One

Robin you state that Te Rangita marae is an intimate and wonderful place to sleep in. Age Concern state that social isolation is the number one problem facing older people in Aotearoa. What makes Marae life so valuable for older people?

The marae is a place where the elderly are considered taonga (treasures). they are listened to, respected and even fussed over. my grandmother and great aunties love it on the marae where they are made to feel special. there is a strong feeling of community where you cook, eat, tell stories, laugh, sing, cry and sleep together.