Our Marae
Whare Tupuna
Our whare tupuna is named after our distinguished ancestor Makō Hakirikiri. He was a major contribution to the success of Ngāti Kurī in the vitally important first phase of the migration of Te Wai Pounamu and beyond.
Before 1855, the marae was situated upon the hill close to our present-day urupā (cemetery) presumably with a view over the valley and lake to the ocean. The first of four buildings at the present site was opened in 1855; all have been built upon the same footprint and all have been named Makō.
Our current whare. Opened on November 1st 2008 by Rev. Manawaroa Maurice Gray and Naomi Bunker.
Whare Kai
Our whare kai (kitchen & dining room) is named after our matriarch Te Rōpūake - the wife of Makō. The whare kai and whare tupuna standing together are a symbolic recognition of the role of parents; they co-exist and support eachother for the nurturing and well-being of their children and their guests.
Our current wharekai was built in 1991 and is at least the third wharekai on the site with the previous buildings being destroyed by fire.
Tangatahara
This statue commemorates Tangatahara, Ngāi Tahu’s most prestigious warrior of the 19th century. Tangatahara killed Te Pēhi Kupe, a senior rangatira of Ngāti Toa at Kaiapoi pā in 1829. He was captured at Ōnawe in 1832 but he escaped and commanded the Ngāti Irakehu warriors in the Ngāi Tahu war party that expelled the enemy in 1833 and 1834. He passed away in 1847 and is buried at Wainui. His statue was erected with accompanying celebration in 1900; it is also a noted symbol of defiance toward these enemies with whom no peace was made.