Image: Te Maru o Hikairo
Situated on the main road into Kāwhia, Waipapa Marae is the heart of Ngāti Hikairo – a place for communal gatherings and a storehouse for iwi traditions.
For bookings and other information visit the new Waipapa Marae website.
About Our Marae
Ngā Tai Whakarongorua / Our Whare Tūpuna
There are three key kaupapa that influenced the naming of our whare tūpuna:
- Ngā Tai Whakarongorua was the name of a house that stood at Ōpārau in the 1870s
- Ngā Tai Whakarongorua was the name of a battle at Kārewa (Gannet Island)
- Ngā Tai Whakarongorua alludes to the sound of the ocean waves on the coast and the lapping of the tide in Kāwhia Harbour.
Image: Ngā Tai Whakarongorua
Takuhiahia / Our Wharenui
Takuhiahia is a large carved whare that can sleep up to 300 guests. A notable feature of the wharenui is that it has a large mahau (porch) and door on its side – rather than at the front. The design is based on the whare rūnanga that stood at Whatiwhatihoe in the 1880s. The name Takuhiahia reflects the desire of King Korokī’s daughter, Te Atairangikaahu, to have house built in this style.
Image: Tamariki in front of Takuhiahia
Te Maru o Hikairo / Our Wharekai
Ngāti Hikairo long dreamed about replacing the old wharekai and kāuta at Waipapa Marae. This was realised when Te Maru o Hikairo was opened by Kingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII on 12 March 2019. Featuring extensive glass windows the building has also been designed to provide a breathtaking view of Kāwhia Harbour.
The wharekai project was made possible through iwi fundraising efforts and help from the Oranga Marae programme, a co-investment initiative of Te Puni Kōkiri and the Department of Internal Affairs.