A marae is a Maori meeting place.While many Maori New Zealanders live in cities, marae are still the heart of Maori culture. Weddings, birthdays, funerals, political meetings and social gatherings are held on marae.

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Koroniti Meeting House Whanganui River
Each marae has a large meeting house called a wharenui. Wharenui are usually richly carved and decorated in a way that reflects ancestors and associated histories As you travel around New Zealand, you see these houses with their Pitched roofs and elaborate carvings. Gates, fences, and other buildings on the marae may be carved anti decorated, and nearby churches sometimes contain carved altars and. other Maori decoration. Around New Zealand., and. especially in Northland, Rotorua, Waikato, the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, anti the East Coast are areas where there arc large Maori populations, and where many manic can be seen.

Most marae belong to a family, (whanau), a tribe (iwi) or sub-tribe (.hapu). In large cities, however, there arc marae that all tribes can use.

A number of marae open their doors, and their hearts to visitors, so they can experience the warmth and fascination of an ancient, rich culture.Visitors are introduced to Maori carving, music, dance, anti many other beautiful art forms, and invited to share in simple rituals and in traditional Maori foods.

Ko nga rakau e toku whare he kewhai, he tetara, he mire, he kahikatea, hc kauri He rakan tan matna, tan awhina whakaruruhan.

The trees of my house are kewhai, totara, mire, kahikatea and kauri.
They are parent trees that embrace and shelter.