Ngā Whare Waatea Marae in Mangere Central has served as a community gathering place for more than 30 years. Our tūpuna and founders dreamed there would be a marae for all who lived in the city.
The name, Ngā Whare Waatea, signals to everyone that “ahakoa ko wai te tangata, ahakoa nō hea te tangata, ka waatea te marae mo te katoa” (no matter who you are, no matter where you are from, this marae is available for you). Today we are ngā mokopuna morehu (the descendants) of those who travelled to the city to find a new life for themselves, their tamariki and their mokopuna. Our reo and tikanga are aligned with our urban-based whānau. The word hapu (sub-tribe) is replaced by hāpori (community). We have our own colloquialisms which speak to our role in the communities we serve.
Ka rere taku manu ki ngā tōpito o te takiwā
Kei runga noa atu tana rerenga
Hei manutaki o te hāpori
Our bird flies to all the boundaries of our district
Soaring high, watchful and ever vigilant over our community.
The marae has also hosted many celebrations, including MUMA founder Dame June Te Muranga Jackson’s investiture at the marae in 2010. It is the home of MUMA and Radio Waatea – and it is where we demonstrate the value of the whānau kaupapa every day.
It has a significant place in history as the rallying point for landmark issues such as the Māori Language Act, Broadcast Amendment Act, the Foreshore and Seabed hikoi, Māori representation on the Auckland Super City Council and the urban Māori challenge to the fisheries settlement.
Unfortunately our Marae is unavailable for noho/overnight stays, tangihanga, and weekend bookings.
Ngā mihinui, Ngā Whare Waatea Marae Administration
