Ki te whare tū tonu, ki te whare manawaroa

Towards a climate resilient meeting house

Climate changes such as high winds have lifted the roof of the whare tīpuna of Patuheuheu-Ngāti Haka, and changes to the water table have impacted on sewerage and drinking water systems. At the time of this research project, the hapū were looking to rebuild their marae to be resilient to these climate impacts.

Patuheuheu-Ngāti Haka hapū members wanted to ensure Waiōhau marae is resilient, sustainable and resilient to climate impacts. A new wharekai, opened in 2019, taught hapū members about appropriate design and use of space and materials that can withstand sudden environmental changes.

Hapū investigated pūrākau of their whare tīpuna to gather narratives to inform the planning and preparation for the rebuild of their whare tūpuna, Tama-ki-Hikurangi. The whare tūpuna is over 130 years old, and has endured eruptions, flood, dismantling and finally, re-erection in its new location of Waiōhau.

It is hoped through this research, Tama-ki-Hikurangi can be future-proofed against climate impacts so the people of Waiōhau marae can retain their ancestral meeting house.