Hoani Waititi Marae, Māori community center in Parrs Park, New Zealand
Hoani Waititi Marae is a Māori community center in Parrs Park in West Auckland featuring traditional carved wooden structures and gathering spaces. On the grounds is a Kura Kaupapa Māori school where education takes place in the Māori language.
The marae was founded in 1980 as Māori communities migrated from rural areas into Auckland. It was created to serve as a cultural anchor for the community during this period of urban relocation.
The marae serves as a gathering place where visitors can observe traditional Maori ceremonies and the importance of whanau, the extended family, in daily life. Te Reo Māori is spoken and taught here as a living part of the community's identity.
It is best to contact the community in advance as parts of the site may be reserved for private events or ceremonies. Visitors should be respectful and follow the customary protocols expected when visiting a marae.
The wharenui called Ngā Tūmanako contains detailed carvings representing the seven waka canoes that carried the first Polynesians to New Zealand. These carvings tell the story of migration that is central to māori identity.
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