MĀTAI WHETŪ MARAE - TE RAMA O HAURAKI

HISTORY OF THE MARAE

When the carved Meeting House, "Hotunui was removed to the Auckland Museum in 1925 the Ngāti Maru Tribe of Hauraki were left desolate and forlorn in that focal point of Maori Activities, the Marae no longer existed,

The circumstances of its removal was a serious debating matter amongst other related tribes and sub-tribes of the area. It was considered by some that the loss was a reflection upon the Mana of the people as the very backbone of the ancestor, Hotunui no longer supported the body of the people.

Attempts were made to replace the Marae by sub-tribal members of Ngati Maru. However, the economic depression of the country at that time, the insolvency position of the town of Thames, the advent of WWIl the passing of tribal elders and waning enthusiasm conveniently side-lined the issue for a number of years.

In the mid-1960's a small group comprised of local Maori residents formed a nucleus body called the - Omahu-Kirikiri Marae Committee committed to restoring the name situation in the Ngati Maru Environs. After Ten years of dedicated committal and fundraising the committee were able to take the first step towards turning their dreams into a reality.

A benevolent gift of two acres of land called MakoMako X was donated by two tribal members, Bart Watene and his family of Kirikiri and Emily Paki. Some preliminary planning was done but before they could be implemented a fortunate turn of events occurred which placed the project far in advance of expectations.

In 1973 the then recently closed Kirikiri School buildings came up for Sale by Tender by the Department of Education. It was formerly a native School built on gifted Maori Land in 1878 upon an ancient Pa Site. The Maori Land Court at a sitting in Thames in 1974 revested the site in the names of the Trustees representing the descendants of the former owners.

The Trustees consented to the Matai Whetu block being designated as a Maori Reserve for Marae purposes for the benefit of Ngati Maru, Ngati Whanaunga, Ngati Hauauru, Ngati Te Aute and the general residents of the district. The Omahu-Kirikiri Marae Committee negotiated with the Department of Education to purchase the School

Buildings on site as well as the adjacent land shown on the Title. The Committee changed their name to the "Matai Whetu Marae Committee” and by the end of the year had modified the buildings adequately enough to make them functional and operational as a tribal Marae. After a fifty year period of being lost in a state of limbo, the keening cries, rhetoric oration and the gathering warmth of tribal identity emerged once again as a guiding light in Hauraki.

Twelve years onward successive committees have implemented changes as required. A modern kitchen and toilets added some years ago and in 1985 the present dining room and Wharepuni was commenced replacing the 100 year old school buildings.

It was completed in 1987 and ceremoniously opened by Queen Te Arikinul Te Atairangikahu in July of the same year. In February of 1989 due to a grant made by Maspac, carvers from the Rotorua School of Carving commenced a 12 month contract to complete exterior and interior Whakairo, based on the history of Ngati Maru and presented in the Hauraki style of design. In accordance with custom these young carvers lived on the Marae and were well cared for by the local people.

In sympathy with two other Hauraki Marae, Te Pai O Hauraki (The Generosity of Hauraki) that of Ngati Tamatera at Paeroa, Te Iti O Hauraki (The Humbleness of Hauraki) that of Ngati Hako at Kerepehi, Ngati Maru elders adopted the name Te Rama o Hauraki (The Guiding Light of Hauraki) as the name for their House.

The present complex completely replaced the converted 110 year old former school building, and was dedicated and opened by the Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu in July 1987.

In February 1989, work commenced on carving the Wharepuni by five young carvers from the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute of Rotorua,, under the tutelage of Master-Carver Clive Fugill, The carvings are based on the history and traditions of Ngatimaru, carved in the old Hauraki Style. The carvers in accordance with custom lived on the Marae and were looked after by the local people, Their contract ended in April 1990.

The Tupuna is Marutuahu and all interior figures relate to him, his forbears and descendants.