HE WHARE WĀNANGA

Taumata o Kupe was born out of the aspirations of the kuia and kaumātua of Te Māhurehure, led by the Tohunga Ihorei of Te Māhurehure Marae, Rereata Makiha, and the Tohunga Ahurewa and patron of Te Māhurehure Marae, Tā Patu Hohepa.

It also serves as a multi-purpose venue for community, corporates and Māori organisations to hire. Blending intimate Māori culture with state-of-the-art design and amenities for experiences and events that leave a lasting impression steeped in personal, cultural, social gratification.

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Designed for the exchange & passing down of esoteric knowledge

The origins of Taumata o Kupe evolve from the esoteric knowledge of scholars of Te Māhurehure, and the wider Hokianga region, handed down through generations of schools of higher learning unique to the region. Our new whare embodies the spirit of Kupe and represents the journey to Aotearoa.

As a global indigenous learning centre this space plays a primary role in reinvigorating these ancient teachings for the benefit of te iwi Māori, particularly tamariki, mokopuna, and rangatahi of Hokianga, and Ngāpuhi.

As a contemporary whare wānanga it revitalizes unique, sacred knowledge systems and practices to store, share and pass down our important teachings and ways.

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Measuring 600 square metres over two levels our stunning whare is acclaimed with New Zealand’s top architecture and design awards from both Designers Institute of New Zealand (DINZ) annual Best Design Awards and Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand (Institute of Architects) Awards. It was also shortlisted at the World Architecture Festival 2024 in Singapore, for the best use of colour and civic and community categories.

An award-winning architectural masterpiece

Available as a bookable multi-purpose space

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MAIN FLOOR
(GROUND LEVEL)

An award-winning space for wānanga, cultural events, business functions and personal hire. Includes shower and toilet facilities, state-of-the-art audio and visual tech, large modular seating system for customised layouts and access ramps for our disabled and mobility impaired whānau and community.

An upper mezzanine floor amidst the tree tops, provides a boardroom-style table setting – as a great break-out space, sleeping area or for smaller workshops or presentations. Also includes mobility elevator and upstairs disabled toilets upstairs.

THE MEZZANINE
(UPPER LEVEL)

A perfect outdoor area along the creek bank and under the native trees. With tables and bar leaners in a private shady spot. Listen out for the monkeys too – this spot directly backs onto the Auckland Zoo, and swans from Western Springs are also known to float upstream here.

THE OUTDOOR DECK

A matte black minimalist servery has been designed to provide a a catering station for coffees, teas, beverages and finger foods. (Does not include functioning kitchen (the main marae commercial kitchens provide and source all foods which are brought over into this space).