New era beckons for the Ariki - The new House of Ariki lays the platform to launch the Ariki to greater heights
President of the House of Ariki, Travel Tou Ariki is pleased that Finance Minister Hon Mark Brown took the time to meet with him recently to discuss the annual budget allocation for the House of Ariki.
Tou Ariki, who spoke to the Times on Thursday afternoon, said that in the last budget round, he had requested the allocation be increased from $110,000 to just under $200,000. This was not approved by government. Now, the Minister has realized that extra funding is required to maintain the new building, assist with the rental and other additional costs. Tou Ariki said they also wish to employ a Clerk and an Office assistant. At present they only have one computer and very little in the way of furniture.
Tou Ariki is hopeful government will increase the allocation if and when a Supplementary Budget is introduced.
In the meantime, Tou Ariki said the Ariki would be pleased to receive any donations or sponsorships of furniture. Right now, furniture is a priority said Tou Ariki. Also sought are cutlery-plates, cups, saucers and eating utensils. Any donation or sponsorship of office equipment and supplies would also be gratefully appreciated.
Tou Ariki said the new building is a major step forward and will assist the Ariki to achieve a greater sense of unity and to consolidate their common concerns about preservation of the language and culture. It gives the Ariki as a group, a higher public profile and a greater sense of “presence” which they could not command when they had the far smaller building next to parliament.
While the new building will accommodate smaller meetings of the Ariki, they will still hold their main meetings at parliament where use is made of the recording equipment for their debates.
In another major development, Tou Ariki said the Ariki have agreed to establish a special bank account: “Maru maru o te Ui Ariki” in which to bank donations and to build up over time an independent source of funds with which to assist fund House of Ariki activities without putting an extra drain on government finances.
Tou Ariki said with the new building, the Ariki hope to establish a library/museum for historic documents, film, photos, artifacts, books, records and the like. Anyone with any of these items that may relate to the Ariki is welcome to donate them.
Visitors to the premises will be welcome on an organized basis and by invitation said Tou Ariki. They hope that tour buses will bring tourists on guided tours and that this may become a source of income also for the House of Ariki. Such visitors would be treated to a traditional welcome.
For the future, Tou Ariki sees a greater role for the Ariki in assisting government, the public and especially the Churches.
Tou Ariki goes so far as to envisage the day when, like Samoa, we have a Head of State who is selected from a small group of prominent Chiefs. The budget for the Head of State would then incorporate the House of Ariki. He encourages public debate on the issue. -Charles Pitt

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