He Wharenui, He Kōrero, He Ara Whakamua

A Meeting House, A Story, A Pathway Forward

Mataatua Wharenui is more than just a meeting house — it is the living heart of Ngāti Awa. Once lost to its people for over a century, this masterfully carved wharenui has returned home to Whakatāne, standing once again as a powerful symbol of resilience, identity, and cultural revival.

We invite you to reconnect — with the stories, the whenua, and the spirit that lives within these walls.

What We Offer

  • Schools / Education

    Our scheduled Schools Programme invites kura kaupapa, wharekura and mainstream schools to reconnect through learning. Grounded in Ngāti Awatanga, each visit nurtures knowledge, identity and belonging.

  • Conferences & Meetings

    Host your hui, retreat or kaupapa launch in a space shaped by tikanga and purpose. We provide venue hire, cultural facilitation, and optional catering for iwi, government and corporate groups.

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  • Partnerships

    Our vision is strengthened through kaupapa-led partnerships with hapū, iwi, education providers and funders. Together, we build pathways of opportunity, learning, and cultural vitality.

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Mataatua Wharenui echoes the heartbeat of those who built it, the resilience of those who reclaimed it, and the spirit of those who carry its legacy forward.

Our Values

  • Manaakitanga

    Welcoming Spirit

    We uplift, welcome, and care for all who enter — nurturing the wairua of our visitors and ensuring every experience is grounded in generosity, respect, and aroha.

  • Kaitiakitanga

    Sacred Guardianship

    We are guardians of Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae - protecting its mauri, stories, and sacred spaces for the well-being of future generations.

  • Mātauranga

    Ancestral Knowledge

    We honour the wisdom of our tūpuna by actively sharing, preserving, and evolving ancestral knowledge through every visit, wānanga, and kōrero.

  • Whakapapa

    Living Legacy

    Our whare is woven with whakapapa — a living thread that connects us to our ancestors, our identity, and each other.

  • Whanaungatanga

    Enduring Connection

    Through collaboration, shared purpose, and genuine connection, we strengthen the bonds between people, communities, and kaupapa.

Enquire Now

Whether you're planning a school visit, a cultural experience, a wānanga, or a special event — we’d love to hear from you.

Enquire now and let us help you create a meaningful and memorable experience at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae.

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