Ngā Tauira Marae

Ngā Tauira Marae, formerly known as Te Aka Matua ki Te Pou Hawaiki, holds a significant place in the history of Waipapa Taumata Rau. Established in 1983 on the Epsom Campus, formally the site of the Auckland Teachers Training College, it was only the second marae to be built on a tertiary institution's grounds in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The marae served as a vibrant centre for Māori and Pacific education, fostering a sense of community and cultural identity among students and staff. 

The inception of Te Aka Matua ki Te Pou Hawaiki is attributed to the visionary efforts of Tarutaru Rankin, a prominent figure in Māori education. In 1973, Mahuta Tuhura, a student at the Epsom Campus, proposed the idea of establishing a marae.

This initiative garnered support from both staff and students within the Māori Studies department and across the campus. Tarutaru Rankin, then Head of Māori Studies, played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to fruition. An opportunity arose when a prefabricated building, originally intended as a classroom for the School of Music, was redirected to serve as the marae's wharenui (meeting house). Through collective effort and community support, this structure was transformed into Tūtahi Tonu, the heart of the marae complex. 

The name "Te Aka Matua ki Te Pou Hawaiki" acknowledged the historical significance of the area. Ancestors of the Tāmaki people brought soil from Hawaiki, their ancestral homeland, and buried it atop a hill that became part of the campus. This site was considered highly tapu (sacred) by early Auckland tribes, especially the Waiohua people of Maungawhau (Mt Eden), who performed rituals there before and after expeditions. 

Over the decades, Te Aka Matua ki Te Pou Hawaiki became more than just a physical space; it evolved into a nurturing environment for Māori and Pacific students. The marae provided a haven where students could connect with their cultural roots, engage in te reo Māori (Māori language) and tikanga Māori (Māori customs), and receive support throughout their academic journeys. It also served as a venue for various educational programs, including the training of teachers committed to the revitalization of te reo Māori me ona tikanga. 

Prior to closing the Epsom Campus in 2023, the university recognized the importance of preserving the legacy of Tūtahi Tonu. A decision was made to relocate the wharenui to the City Campus. The original building would not survive being physically moved so the relocation focused on preserving and refurbishing the marae taonga (treasures), including whakairo (carvings), kōwhaiwhai (painted rafters), and tukutuku (woven panels). Master carver Arekatera Maihi oversaw this meticulous process, ensuring that the cultural essence of the marae was maintained. 

On 10 August 2024, a dawn ceremony marked the official reopening of the wharenui at its new location within Building 113, behind the Old Barracks Wall on the city campus. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the university's iwi-manaaki (host iwi), gifted the marae its new name: Ngā Tauira. This name is linked to Tāwhaki but also embodies the inclusive spirit of the marae and its role in supporting the diverse makeup of the staff and students at the university. 

Ngā Tauira Marae stands as a testament to the university's commitment to honouring and integrating Māori heritage and world view within its academic environment.

Along with Waipapa Marae, it serves as a focal point for cultural activities, educational programs, and community gatherings, fostering a sense of unity and belonging among all who walk through its doors.

The journey of Tūtahi Tonu from Epsom to the city campus symbolizes resilience, adaptation, and the enduring importance of cultural spaces in educational institutions. 

Information about marae booking and who to contact can be found on the Ngā Marae o Waipapa Taumata Rau page.