travel south pacific new zealand bay of islands marae kihewhata
Marae Kihewhata is located just outside the Northland township of Kaikohe along Mangakahia Road.
We visited this Maori communal house which serves both religious and social purposes for the community.
Although the marae is of modern construction, its design is traditional and filled with tribal artwork.
A new visitor to a marae is known as a waewae tapu, or "sacred feet."
As a new visitor, we removed our shoes and partook in a formal welcoming ceremony called a powhiri where we were introduced to the elders.
We greeted each other with a hongi, the ceremonial touching of noses and listened to speeches and songs from the marae members.
Afterwards, we shared kai, food, in the Maori tradition of manaakitanga, hospitality.
LINK TO MARAE KIHEWHATA'S FACEBOOK PAGE
LINK TO NEW ZEALAND'S WEB SITE ON MARAE - MAORI MEETING GROUNDS
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON THE MARAE
TRAVEL: 2018...
This location has earned an over-all three-and-one-half star (good+) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
***1/2
unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Exterior of the Wharenui, carved meeting house, Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
"The Wharenui resembles the human body in structure, and usually represents aparticular ancestor of the tribe."
The tekoteko (carved figure) on the roof represents the head, the maihi (front barge boards) are the arms held out in welcome.
The amo, short boards at the front, represent legs, the tahuhu (ridge pole) represents the spine, the heke (rafters) represent ribs.
Carved figure protecting the entrance, Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
The tekoteko (carved figure) on the roof representing the head of the building/body, Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
Carving over the main entrance, Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
Interior view showing the tahuhu (ridge pole/spine) and heke (rafters/ribs) , Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
Interior detail, Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
Carvings, Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
Carving detail, Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
Carving detail, Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
Tribal elder, Marae Kohewhata, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 2018.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised february 2020