Last week, Toroa walked to our main Marae and learnt about it.
Firstly, Whaea Tiri took us to the first building named Whai-tara-nui-a-ngarue. When we walked over to the building we learned that the whare was built in 1886 and rebuilt in 1986. Secondly, we learnt about the Marae atea. The Marae atea is an area where the people get welcomed and brought into the Marae.
After that, we went to Ko Tama Wahine and learned what the significance of the raukura was on the doors. There are three feathers on the raukura. The feathers represent. Whai kororia ki te atua, he maungarongo ki te whenua, he whakaaro pai ki nga tangata which means glory to god, peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind.
Our next visit was to another whare called Tama Tane but Whaea Tiri said that some people called it Ko Tama Tane march. This building was built for the men so that they had a place to rest and sleep.
Before we went into the Marae, we learned about Maui Pomare and learned that only his family’s ashes are under his statue with his. After our korero we made our way back to the Marae.
When we made our way over to the Marae and found out that the carvings on top of the Marae were Maui Tiki Tiki and Ta Maui Pomare. Later on, we went into the marae and had a look around before Whaea Tiri told us about the patterns, and the story behind the artwork on the walls.
We also got told to never ring the bell at the front of the wharenui or our parents will get a fine. This bell is only to be rung in an emergency.
Overall, I enjoyed my visit and I hope that we get to have a sleepover next time.
Here is my story about our visit to the Marae.