A historic celebration took place at Tarimano Marae in Awahou today, as whānau, friends, colleagues and representatives from Local Government New Zealand’s Māori Advisory Group, Te Maruata, gathered to honour Rotorua Lakes Councillor Trevor Maxwell for his monumental 49-year tenure.
“I mean this is where it all began. Grew up here and just two houses down, and to be on your Marae, it just warms the heart,” says Cr Trevor Maxwell, reflecting on the significance of the day.
“I was the only Māori councillor on there for a few times. So yeah, I hope that I leave a record there to be broken – that’s what records are for – so our people can stand up and be counted for,” Cr Maxwell says.
Aubrey Ria, Deputy Mayor of Gisborne District Council and a member of Te Maruata, spoke to the weight of the occasion. “Our main purpose is to honour his contributions to these Council initiatives,” Ria said.
“There is no doubt his record will stand forever. This is his legacy to the Māori people, to the wider Te Arawa iwi, and to his grandchildren,” she said. “I believe that no one will ever match the contributions – the significant contributions – he has made over the past fifty years.”
Maxwell’s son, Inia, reflected on his father’s immense commitment to the community. “Especially with his commitment to local council, local government for 50 years, I think that’s an achievement that will never be repeated,” Inia said. “So, yeah I think dad should be acknowledged for that, it’s not a small feat to be a server of your community, and being owned by your community for 50 years.”
He whakanui i a Trevor Maxwell me tana mahi e 49 tau te roa
I hui tahi te whānau me ngā mema o Te Maruata Kōmiti ki Tarimano Marae i Awahou, ki te whakanui i a Trevor Maxwell (Ngāti Rangiwewehi) mō tana mahi nui i roto i ngā kaunihera o Aotearoa.
I korero a Aubrey Ria, te Koromatua Tuarua o te Kaunihera a Rohe o Turanganui a Kiwa, mō te hiranga o te rā. “Koirā te kaupapa Tino nui, ahakoa kua whai mai mātou ki te whakanui i a ia i roto i ngā mahi o ngā Kaunihera o te motu. Ko tā mātou tino kaupapa ko tā mātou whakahōnore mō ōna koha ki ēnei Kaupapa Kaunihera,” hei tā Aubrey anō.
“Kāore e kore ka noho tana record me kī mō āke tonu atu. Ko ōhākī tōna ki te iwi Māori, ki Te Arawa whānui ki tana mokopuna,” hei tāna anō. “Ko taku whakapae e kore tētahi kia piki ki ngā koha, Ngā Tino koha e ia i ngā rima tekau tau kua pahure ake nei.”