Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae is an urban marae in the heart of Māngere with a huge vision to recover what has been lost to iwi Māori for many generations – and the drive and determination to make it happen.

Although we all affiliate from many differed tribes of Aotearoa we always ensure that the kawa of Tainui is highly regarded as our tikanga for Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae.It has set as priorities learning te reo Māori, strengthening cultural capability, and improving whānau health, and has brought in marae-based education programmes through Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi to achieve those goals.Over the past two years, more than 300 people have grasped the opportunity to learn in this unique setting, and marae trustee Hineamaru Ropati says demand is growing.“My biggest role for more than 20 years has been to ensure that we service the needs of our whānau and community and that the values and aspirations of our tūpuna are not compromised.“Our marae services the needs of all tribes and all cultures. We break stereotype barriers down for those who have never been on a marae, and for those who never go back to their tūrangawaewae. Many here in the urban setting are fourth or fifth-generation whānau.“Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae set up extensive community gardens nearly 30 years ago on a hectare of land. As part of the goal to encourage healthier lifestyles, we piloted certificate-level Kai Oranga programmes. Run in partnership with Te Waka Kai Ora – National Maori Organics Authority of Aotearoa, the programmes teach organic food production using traditional Māori values and ethics.“This led participants to make radical changes in their lives in terms of healthy eating – but on top of this the reo components created a thirst in many participants and their whānau for reo, tikanga and whakapapa.”Please Note:  We will not be available to take any bookings until after 22nd July 2022