Mataatua Marae in Rotorua has reopened after extensive renovations.
It was the first Tūhoe marae built outside of their tribal boundaries after land was gifted from mana whenua Ngāti Whakaue. It has served as a haven for Tūhoe uri since.
This year also marks its 100th anniversary after its official opening in 1924.
The marae has undergone renovations, primarily focusing on renewing whakairo and the wharekai, after receiving $500,000 through provincial growth funding grants.
Tūhoe uri Kimiora Webster said the marae provided the opportunity for other uri to reconnect with each other.
“E hia kē te roa kua noho mohoao ki roto i Rotorua, nō reira i tēnei wā whakawhānaunga tātou i a tātou, whakakotahi tātou i a tātou kia whai ake i te matemateāone (We've been isolated for far too long here in Rotorua, so now is a good time to rekindle our connections).”
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones, who spearheaded the Provincial Growth Fund that has led to hundreds of marae upgrades across the country since 2020, said the restoration had been a long time coming.
“Me taku mōhio mēnā kore oti i au te whakatutuki i ngā wawata katoa mō te wāhanga ki Te Tiriti, mō te wāhanga ki te rangatiratanga, mō te wāhanga ki Te Whakaputanga, māku anō tōku kaha e whakapau kia ora ai ō tātou marae (I think if I am not able to fulfill all that is desired in regards to the treaty, to rangatiratanga and to Te Whakaputanga, I will at least give my all to see our marae restored).”
The iwi hoped the marae would continue to serve its people and revitalise Tūhoe practices for its future generations.
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