08/09/2026
FINANCIAL KOHA
Kia ora whānau, we are being asked for account numbers for Koha so we're putting this out a little sooner than anticipated. We were hoping to give a good overview before hand, but anyway here it is.
We know everyone supports kaupapa in different ways, and there is no right or wrong way to koha and or support and most importantly there is no pressure at all. If you are in a position to offer a financial koha and it is something that appeals to you, it would be gratefully received. Any contribution, big or small, is appreciated, and we also value all the other ways whānau contribute — through time, organising, resources/supplies, support, kai, presence etc.
We wanted to share one initiative which our Marae has witnessed & benefited from. This was successfully implemented by a small whanau group of approx 8 people/whānau.
What is this initiative:
For this whānau, they wanted the opportunity to support the marae but didn’t know how based on many different reasons like they just want to give a koha, no reason, not living close by or in the area/region, not being able to come back to the marae as often as they probably want to, not knowing exactly how to help, a little whakamā and also the problem we all have – trust.
Knowing they wanted to do something, they opened a Non-Profit bank account and each whānau set up automatic payments based on these payments being an amount that whānau wouldn’t notice going out of their accounts so that it’s sustainable and hopefully wouldn’t affect their day to day living.
Payment examples – one set up an automatic payment of $5 per mth, others have set up weekly payments of $10 another does $1.50 per wk, another does $60 per year. Through this system (for the marae) they have paid for all new guttering and down pipes for our Wharekai at the cost of $4k plus, purchased and installed the Water Catcher & Dispensary Station for our Urupa at $350 plus delivery & install costs and are now looking at making a significant contribution to one of the marae projects.
Within this group they are specific on what these funds are to be used for and are kept up to date on their account balance, they enquire with the Marae or recommend project options and give input and share ideas.
Mauri Ora Whanau – Well done and thank you.
(Please note the Committee & Trustees have nothing to do with this process and/or operating this account this is a whānau lead & run initiative away from the Marae)
After looking at the detail and simplicity of this idea and after discussions with various whānau and a couple local land trusts, our Trustees have decided to adopt this initiative with commitment around management and transparency.
Set Up:
The Trustees have opened 2 x bank accounts, one for Utilities and one for Projects. Taking inspiration from the above Initiative the idea is if whānau want to help with paying the day to day running, ie Power, Gas, water, maintenance etc, they can make payment to our Utilities Account, if whānau want to help towards a project ie restoring the Mattress Room or a Repaint of our Wharekai etc (Please see our Projects post), they can set up a payment to our Projects account. Whānau can do a one-off payment, or it can be an automatic payment weekly, mthly yearly and at whatever amount will suit, there is absolutely no judgement, expectation or minimum payment and can cancel their payment at any time without question.
Next:
The Trustees have then committed to keeping records of those who have chosen to koha to these accounts, and these whānau will receive specific communication/email updates and information around the chosen account they are paying to. This is to not only update & inform but also give whānau assurances that their koha/contribution is being utilised for its intended purpose and give whānau confidence in our marae, the committee and the trustees.
We’ll still have updates via our page but you will receive more detailed information more regularly because the hopes is you can then track and see how your specific koha is being utilised.
These 2 accounts are already underway with the first regular payments coming into our Utilities account late July from whanau as well as an annual payment expected in the coming weeks from one of the Paeroa Land Blocks and the first payment came into the Projects account mid Aug.
If you are interested but still have questions, please reach out by emailing [email protected] with the subject line FINANCIAL KOHA, please send your phone details if possible and we will be in touch or you can contact our Treasurer Haley on 0212680797 who is happy to answer any questions.
If you are all on board and want to start your marae koha journey (Te ara koha ki te marae), below are the account details:
Utilities Koha to:
Paeroa East 5 Part Maori Reservation Trust
03 1552 0094767 001
Reference: your name and phone number
Projects Koha:
Paeroa East 5 Part Maori Reservation Trust
03 1552 0094767 002
Reference: your name and phone number
Note - We need your phone number so we can contact you to confirm initial payment received and to get your email address for communications.
SCAM ALERTS – Please note that we will not be sending the account number to whānau by messenger, text, whats app, Instagram etc. The only place you will see the account numbers posted is here on our official page unless request is made to have the details emailed, this will then be followed up by a phone call to confirm. We will not be asking whānau to confirm their account numbers or requesting any personal details or asking for Credit or Debit card details as options for payment. Please be vigilant.
We look forward to communicating further initiatives in the coming weeks and welcome any ideas from whānau to move our Marae forward.
Mā tini, mā mano, ka rapa te whai
