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Te Whānau Moana · Ngāti Kahu

Karikari Marae

Ko Pūwheke te maunga

Ko Karikari te moana

Ko Māmaru te waka

Ko Kahutianui te tupuna

Ko Te Parata te tangata

Ko Ngāti Kahu te iwi

Ko Karikari te marae

Ko Te Whānau Moana te hapū

Nō reira, tēnā rā tātou katoa

A marae rooted in whakapapa, whenua and kaumātua guidance, standing on the whenua of Te Whānau Moana on the Karikari Peninsula.

Our Story

The History of Karikari Marae

Karikari Marae stands on the whenua of Te Whānau Moana, shaped by generations who lived, fished, raised their tamariki, and protected this peninsula. Its beginnings stretch back decades, long before any formal structure, to the kōrero and direction of our kuia and kaumātua, who carried the responsibility of ensuring Te Whānau Moana had a place that reflected our identity and our mana.

1980s

Early Vision

The idea of a marae at Karikari was first carried by our elders, who saw the need for Te Whānau Moana to have a tūrangawaewae on our own whenua.

Kaumātua who first supported the establishment of Karikari Marae

  • Uncle Pātana MatiuEncouraged the whānau to build a marae at Karikari, pointing to the old tennis court as the right place for Te Whānau Moana to stand.
  • Aunty Pere
    (Matekino Hekeua-Hack)    A steadfast supporter of the kaupapa from the beginning.
  • Aunty Suzie ReihanaHer backing and presence helped anchor the marae's early direction.
  • Aunty Rōharia HepiConsistently supported the establishment of a marae for Karikari whānau.
  • Archdeacon Timoti FavellSupported Karikari Marae while serving as chair of Haititaimarangai marae.
  • Uncle Mac
    (McCully Matiu)    Supported a new marae for Te Whānau Moana.

These elders form the tikanga foundation of Karikari Marae.

Late 1990s – Early 2000s

Turning Point

As pressures increased on the peninsula, especially around wāhi tapu, Te Whānau Moana whānau came together to protect the whenua and assert their responsibilities.

This became the moment where whānau committed to establishing a marae at Karikari — a collective decision grounded in whakapapa, tikanga, and the guidance of our elders.

2003 – 2004

Formal Organising Begins

As the kaupapa strengthened, the marae began to organise formally.

First Appointments

  • ChairTūhoe Manuera
  • SecretaryCasey Glen

This leadership team worked closely with the taumata and the wider whānau to shape the early direction of the marae, uphold tikanga, and begin the long process of establishing a recognised home for Te Whānau Moana.

Taumata Kaumātua

Taumata Kaumātua o Karikari Marae

Karikari Marae nominated the following to the Taumata Kaumātua o Ngāti Kahu:

  • Matekino Hack Marae Patron
  • Dick Urlich
  • Aatarangi Matiu
  • Tamati Edwards
  • Raina Rupapera
  • Mata Ngawaka
  • Christine Te Amo
  • Ngaire Whata
  • Rachel Stainton
  • Rev Robert Urlich
  • Fisher Hetaraka
  • Toby Hetaraka

2008 – Today

The Marae Site

The marae site sits on Karikari 2K, part of the wider Maitai Bay Recreation Reserve. Its history is tied to both whakapapa and Crown acknowledgements during negotiations.

2008: Agreement in Principle

During Ngāti Kahu's Agreement in Principle negotiations:

  • The Crown agreed that the entire Maitai Bay Recreation Reserve would be returned to Ngāti Kahu.
  • This included Karikari 2K, the area where the marae site is.
  • The Crown accepted that the true boundary of Karikari 2 Residue was where the gate stands now.
  • The shareholders of Karikari 2 Residue agreed that a portion of the land would be set aside for a marae for all of Te Whānau Moana o Karikari.

Karikari Marae remains on the land with full tikanga authority.

Structure Plans

Marae Building Plans

A copy of the marae's structure plans is available below.

View structure plans (PDF)

Timeline

Key Events

  1. 1980s - 1990s Kaumātua encourage the establishment of a marae at Karikari.
  2. Late 1990s–Early 2000s Whānau mobilise to protect wāhi tapu and assert mana whenua responsibilities.
  3. 2003 Hui at Haititaimarangai, kaumātua give their blessing for Karikari Marae.
  4. 2003–2004 First formal organising begins. Chair: Tūhoe Manuera. Secretary: Casey Glen.
  5. 2004–2006 Karikari Marae is recognised across Ngāti Kahu through hui and community engagement.
  6. 2008–Today Karikari Marae remains in continuous occupation, building through whānau effort and tikanga authority.

Born From Unity and Responsibility

  • Our Kaumātua carried the vision — they asked for a marae at Karikari and laid the tikanga foundations for it to grow.
  • Our whānau upheld the kaupapa — generations committed their time, labour, kōrero and aroha to bring it into being.
  • Te Whānau Moana protected their whenua — standing together to honour our responsibilities to the land and our wāhi tapu.
  • Our leaders carried the mahi with integrity — guiding the marae from vision to reality through steadfast, principled leadership.

Karikari Marae stands as the expression of our whakapapa and the fulfilment of the vision gifted to us by our elders.

Get in Touch

Ask us for more information

For anything about Karikari Marae — whakapapa enquiries, visiting, or events — send us a message and we'll get back to you.