Know your town

Hau Ariki Marae

In the early 1800s there were a number of Maori settlements along the rivers around Martinborough. There was a fortified Pa at Otaraia and upriver family groups at Waihinga and Moiki, plus on the Huangarua river from Hikawera to Hautotara. A carved meeting house ‘ Takatimu’ was built at Hikawera in 1890, this was burnt to the ground on New Year’s Eve 1911.
From time to time people got together to work out where to build a Marae in Martinborough and in the mid 1970s a group under the name Waihenga began collecting donations for such a building. By 1980 the name ‘Hau Ariki’ ( wind of God) had been chosen for the Marae. This was chosen as a sign that the Marae was open to all people no matter what tribe, sub tribe or race. Today the complex stand as a testimony to the strength and determination of the Maori community.

Negotiations for a building site were held with the Borough Council with Mayor Dawson Wright, Dr Graham Milne and Peter Craig representing the council and Wally Te Kani, Mac Carter and George Hawkins the Marae committee. It was agreed that the Marae would be an asset for all the people of Martinborough and the Council provide land which was then designated a Maori Reserve with a peppercorn rental.
Rongokako School building was purchased and moved onto the site by Skipage building removals assisted by John Bargh on twenty third of June 1982 and named Nga Wakai A Kupe. This building is now the Whare Kai.
The next building on the site was a former Army hospital building at Silverstream which was available as a gift for removal. Moving this large building was a complex business but completed successfully. It was named Te Kupenga A Te Huki and now serves as the Kohanga Reo and Ablution block.
The major step was the building of the Tipuna Whare; a place to lay the deceased in state. The focus was now on what was required to erect this building. A sawmill was set up to provide timber, and Taha Maori courses run to in house train and tutor in the building, tukutuku and carving skill which were required. Under the tutorship of viticulturist Mike Eden members also established the adjacent land as a vineyard.
The end result was the Beautiful Whare Tipuna name Te Whare Wananga O Tupai. The Marae was officially opened on twenty fifth October 1997 by the Governor General Rt. Hon. Michael Hardie Boys.
This complex is a wonderful facility and could be used more often. It is a shame the complex is somewhat hidden from view along Regent Street. A rework of the entrance way could make it more obvious and attractive
Mate Higgison