‘Hard mahi ahead’: The fight to keep Fale Malae's dream alive

The Chair of the Fale Malae Trust, Adrian Orr, says the landmark Pacific cultural project planned for Wellington remains on track despite a significant funding setback announced in Budget 2025.

The government's sudden decision to halt all funding for the Fale Malae project, which Orr has described as 'unexpected,' has left many surprised and engaged.

“We are still going to achieve the Fale Malae. So I think that's important,” he told Pacific Mornings.

Orr clarified that while the funding cut was surprising, the Government's initial support had helped them reach the resource consent process.

Since funding was granted in Budget 2020, only $2.7 million of the allocated $10 million has been spent.

Fale Malae’s funding of $690,000 for this year has also been cut.

The remainder of the funding will be reallocated over the next two years to address other priorities within the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio, including the National Music Centre.

The project will be built at Frank Kitt’s Park on Wellington's waterfront, strategically positioning the Fale Malae among significant cultural landmarks such as Te Papa, Whare Waka, and the Chinese Garden.

Orr says the Wellington City Council remains a vital partner, providing land and contributing $5m towards the site's redevelopment.

Listen to Adrian Orr's full interview below.

He acknowledged that the project’s slow progress is due to administrative processes and elections beyond the Trust's control.

“Everyone who has been involved has been pro bono, working for free,” he says. “The slowdowns haven't been from us. It's about the central government, Victoria University and Wellington City Council.

“The irony is, of course, that this part of the funding was cut only about a week after we put the resource consent in.”

Proposed Fale Malae on Wellington's waterfront. Photo/Fale Malae Trust

The funding cut means the Trust must significantly ramp up its fundraising efforts. Orr outlined a comprehensive plan to secure alternative funding sources, including private partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and broad community engagement.

“We're looking at private partnerships. We're looking at philanthropic donations. We're looking at community efforts. Every Pacific Island nation embassy is down in Wellington.

“The Wellington business community and cultural community, there's a lot of support. But it's a national one. So it's going to be hard mahi.”

The Trust is seeking to build an internationally significant, landmark building that will be a focal point for all New Zealanders to gather, learn and celebrate the contribution that Pasifika arts, cultures, and histories make to our national identity. Photo/Fale Malae website

He encouraged community-wide involvement, underscoring the proverb, ‘Many hands make light work’.

“We've come this far. We know the net benefit, you know, it will be something that will bring enormous benefits to New Zealand and great pride to the Pacific community.

“We need to get it done. We need to nail it.”