Rongomaraeroa, Maori meeting ground at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New Zealand.
Rongomaraeroa sits on the fourth floor of Te Papa Museum and is a modern meeting place featuring a gathering house called Te Hono ki Hawaiki that overlooks Wellington harbor. The space has its own separate entrances, allowing people to visit this area apart from the rest of the museum exhibitions.
Master carver Cliff Whiting oversaw its construction, and the space opened in 1997 as part of Te Papa Museum's commitment to Maori cultural needs. Its completion marked an important moment in creating a dedicated space for ceremonies and gatherings.
This gathering place hosts ceremonies for returning ancestral remains to their resting places, along with traditional welcomes and community gatherings throughout the year. These events reflect the spiritual and social heart of Maori culture today.
Use the separate entrances to reach the space without walking through other museum areas. Check ahead to see if special events are happening, as these may affect regular access.
The carved decorations blend European, Asian, and Polynesian design styles and were created using medium-density fiberboard to achieve precise shapes. This material choice allowed craftspeople to realize traditional designs in a modern way.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
