Te Tauraka Waka a Māui marae

Marae ātea: the wharekai, Pōkē, on the left
and the whare tipuna, Kaipō, on the right

Our marae, Te Tauraka Waka a Māui, at Mahitahi (Bruce Bay) was opened with a dawn ceremony on 23 January 2005. This marked the fulfilment of the dreams of generations of Kāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio, as for over 140 years there had been no marae on Te Tai o Poutini.

The marae is nestled in native bush adjacent to State Highway 6, looking out across the bay to our rereka wairua, Heretaniwha, and in close proximity to our urupā, the old Makaawhio Pā and the Bruce Bay Community Hall, which often served as our marae over recent generations. The summit of our sacred mauka, Aoraki, is only 40 km distant.

The name Te Tauraka Waka a Māui recalls the landfall made by the great Polynesian explorer Māui at Mahitahi after slaying the taniwha Makotipua and Makohorapekapeka. He susbsequently sailed around the South Island, before his great exploit of fishing up the North Island.

The whare tipuna (meeting house), Kaipō, and the wharekai (dining hall), Pōkē, embody two eponymous Kāti Māmoe ancestors of all members of Kāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio, and indeed all Poutini Ngāi Tahu.

The marae is kept alive with a regular schedule of hui and wānanga, and in between times we host numerous groups; from schools to government departments.

Inquiries for marae bookings should be made through the rūnanga office or the marae secretary, Mata Holliday.

Last modified: 25 May 2011