Parawhenua Marae
Cnr State Highway 1 and Te Ahuahu Road,
Ohaeawai
,
Ko Te Ahu Ahu te maunga
Ko Omapere te roto
Ko Pirikotaha te wahi tapu
Ko Parawhenua te marae
Tena Koutou Katoa e nga whanaunga
Nau mai, haere mai!
Welcome to the Parawhenua Marae.
The hapu belonging to Parawhenua Marae are Te Uritaniwha, Ngati Hineira, Te Whanau Whero and Ngati Korohue. It is not clear when exactly Parawhenua Marae was established but oral history and records show the marae was well established and being used on a regular basis in the late 1800‘s. Certainly the first recorded mate in the current meeting house was in 1902.
There are a number volcanic maunga situated around the area, the most prominent in relation to Parawhenua Marae is Te AhuAhu, others close by are Tarahi, Maunga Kawakawa and Putahi. There is a large lake situated a few kilometres north of the marae, Lake Omapere, this is the beginning of the Waitangi River. Pirikotaha is the name of the cemetery for Parawhenua Marae.
Parawhenua Marae is strategically situated in the middle of the mid-north with State Highway One running along one boundary north and south and main roads from east to west on the other boundary. Historically this wider area including Te Ahuahu, Waimate North, Oromahoe, Pakaraka, Ohaeawai and Ngawha was known as Taiamai and was well known and regarded for the fertile soil for growing food to sustain the people and for trade. It is also well known for battles that were fought in with the British in the 1840’s and also for the establishment of Christianity among the Maori people. Our history and whakapapa is illustrious and rich and efforts are being made to encourage whanau to reconnect back to their whanau, marae and lands.
FACILITIES
The facilities that make up our marae comprise a large fully equipped kitchen, with walk in chiller, large cooking gas hobs and oven. The dining room can cater for and seat 150-200 people in one sitting. There is a large safe area for cooking hangi and lots of areas for food preparation.
Our large whare hui can comfortably sleep 100-150 and there is our old whare kai/kauta which is sometimes used as an extra space for the over flow. There are ablution blocks for men and women.
Parawhenua Marae is a busy marae and is used extensively by the general community as well of course as whanau from marae holding their birthday, wedding, unveiling and tangihanga there.
BOOKING THE MARAE
All booking requests must be submitted either directly to the bookings person:
Te Miringa Mihaka
Ph 09 401 1222
Mob: 021 918 391
Te Miringa Mihaka
A booking permit will be posted or e-mailed for completion and your booking will be confirmed once all booking formalities have been completed
