Our hapū and marae story.
The site for Ngāmotu Marae is adjacent to the significant historical sites known to Ngāti Te Whiti today as Ōtaka Pā, Arakia, Mataipu, Ukumokomoko.
According to Ngāti Te Whiti traditions, the name Ngā Motu was given by Turi of the waka, Aotea, as he and his people travelled south to Whenuakura. Turi also named a stream nearby Hongi Hongi, because of its distinctive and peculiar odour associated with oil.
The name Ngāmotu is significant to Ngāti Te Whiti people because it came from the rangatira, Turi.
Ngāmotu is now being recognised and sits comfortably beside the name New Plymouth.
The foreshore area includes islands, several reefs, two beaches and several former settlements and sites significant to Ngāti Te Whiti. This area was favoured for settlement due to the access to abundant coastal resources, fish, birds, plants and soils. All the islands were inhabited (except for Pararaki, a seagull nesting colony).
Evidence of the original purpose of the site and the appearance no longer remain, apart from the historic Waitapu Urupā.
The importance of a marae to us.
In pre-colonial times and still thriving today, the marae was central to everyday life in Aotearoa. It was where tribal societies hosted and practiced the value of manaakitanga.
Māori tikanga (lore) constituted a communal lifestyle. Māori philosophy and, by extension, the marae, is firmly rooted in the notion of inter-connections, inter-generational knowledge, interdependence, and inter-relationships. The importance of these aspects has been embedded in Māori since time immeasurable.
Since the destruction of the marae at Ōtaka and Puke Ariki in the 1880s our people have not had a physical home.
We have been disenfranchised from our ancestral land, islands, water and reefs.
Conflict and European colonisation has resulted in displacement and the loss of our economic base, our language, our identity and has exacerbated the inequities that we suffer today. Ngāmotu Marae, our home, will start to redress the harm that has been inflicted on our Hapū over many generations.
Ngāmotu Marae is particularly important to us to ensure that our mokopuna have a place to stand, to grow,
to call home.
We are proud to bring our vision for Ngāmotu Marae to life. This significant cultural facility will be a home for
Ngāti Te Whiti and a marae for our city.
Let’s build this
marae together.
With generosity and support from across our community, we can begin construction.
We welcome your support today for this vital project.
Visit Taranaki Foundation to make a donation.