Hau Ariki Marae is a welcoming and supportive environment for all people from Martinborough and the surrounding area. It has strong links with Kohunui and Papawai Marae, and with people in Pae-tū-Mōkai (Featherston).
Every Monday evening at 6.30pm for an hour,
20 to 25 people gather at the Marae, to learn and practice waiata. Matua Wiremu leads the group who are predominantly local Martinborough folk, with a few from Greytown and Carterton. They are a great mix of people, many of whom are on the Marae for the first time.
The Marae is regularly used for tangihanga, study groups (e.g. Te Wānanga o Aotearoa), school visits (including from the Hawkes Bay and Wellington), and other events such as Winegrowers, Kapa Haka
(Te Rangiura o Wairarapa), family gatherings and sports groups. It is well supported by SWDC and two people from the Marae are on the Māori Standing Committee of Council.
The Marae is a key assembly and support place for the district, should an earthquake or untimely weather event hit the district. To that end solar panels and battery backup have been installed and 150,000 litres of drinking water is now available for emergency use.
At the beginning of August, attendees at the Marae AGM explored options and considered next steps for a housing development on Hau Aruki land behind the main complex. The project will follow papakāinga housing principles, which in this context will strengthen community connections and reflect Māori values such as manaakitanga (hospitality), kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and whanaungatanga (relationships). A key outcome from the hui was a commitment to ongoing community engagement in the coming months – so keep an eye out for opportunities to get involved.
Looking forward, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language week) will be held from 15 – 21 September. The Marae will be supporting several initiatives around the district. Our waiata group, with support from Heartland Services Martinborough and REAP Wairarapa, will be popping up with some waiata, starting with P&K at 5:30pm on Monday 15th, and performing at Te Reo Tamariki at Heartlands at 10am on Friday 19th. Keep an eye (and ear) out!!
The Marae operates on two tiers; Trustees for governance and strategic direction; and a Marae Committee for ongoing operational arrangements. The Committee meets each second Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome! So if you’d like to be involved or just get a better idea of what goes on at Hau Ariki, please come and join us.
More information is on our website – www.hauariki.com.
