Our Marae
BACKGROUND
Ngaati Maniapoto are descendants of the Tainui canoe. Historically the Tainui canoe, captained by Hoturoa, voyaged from Hawaiki to the land of Te Ika a Maui. After extensive exploration of the new found land the Tainui canoe arrived at Kaawhia where she was hauled ashore at Maketu, her final resting place.
The principle Maniapoto hapuu identified with Te Keeti, is Ngaati Parewaeono. Te Keeti is for all intents and purposes the tuurangawaewae of Ngaati Parewaeono. Ngaati Parewaeono lands and whakapapa are closely connected with those of Ngaati Rereahu, Ngaati Matakore, Ngaati Rungaterangi, Ngaati Urunumia, Ngaati Hinewai, Ngaati Hari, Ngaati Manga - Paretekawa and others. Our hapuu lands are based in and around the township of Otorohanga and stretches west toward Rangitoto, and southwest toward Tuhua Hikurangi. It is quite possible that Ngaati Parewaeono today would easily encompass over 8,000 persons of both Maaori and European ethnicty.
Te Keeti Marae was gazetted in 1937 and set aside for the common use and benefit of the tribes of Maniapoto as a marae and papakaainga. The full name for the sacred courtyard in front of the meeting house is Te Maraenui-Atea-o-Tumatauenga (the large courtyard of Tumatauenga) or in short, Marae. The term Paa is used to describe the entire complex including the Marae Aatea. We use both terms but refer to the same area of land. Te Keeti is a place where people of Ngaati Parewaeono, and Maniapoto whaanui and others can rise tall in oratory, weep for lost ones, house guests, have meetings, feasts, weddings and reunions, sing and dance, hold wananga, seminars, conferences and workshops, unveilings, fundraisings including any other kaupapa or activities within the law and tikanga as agreed by the Marae Trustees.
Te Keeti is a refuge, a home, a community centre where Ngaati Parewaeono and Maniapoto generally can gather to share and care for one another. Te Keeti Paa is also the social, political and cultural centre of Ngaati Parewaeono and is a place to connect with the ancestors, and a place to seek solace and insight.
The Marae is governed by Trustees who at present are; Raymond Monk (Chairman) Henry Clarke (Deputy Chairman) Gabs Morgan, Arabian Tai and Robert Allen Clarke II (Tame). The Trustees are assisted in their duties by a very active working committee. The committee includes; Ray Monk (Chairman) Henry Clarke (Deputy) Chair) Gabs Morgan (Secretary) Yvonne Mita (Treasury) Rangiwakaara Shirley Kearns, Ngaire Bidois, Spencer Clarke, KaawhiaTM, Skip Rei, Wairaihi Newton (Kuia), Selina Newton, Simon Newton, Gloria Clarke, Cassandra Morgan and Gloria Newton.
Following a very successful Te Huetu Family Reunion in 1982 (a branch of Ngaati Parewaeono) the Chairman of the Reunion Committee the late Professor Bruce Biggs presented the Marae with a very large koha of approximately $9,000. This was the surplus held over after all Reunion costs had been paid. It was this large fund which was the catalyst for putting in place plans to replace the original Parewaeono. The original wharenui was replaced in 1983 by a new steel framed house which was built over the old Parewaeono. Ritual karakia were performed by our kaumaatua Te Koorae II before Parewaeono's Pou tomoko manawa, tahuhu and maihi were removed and the old lady finally dismanteled. The following year in 1984 just as the ritual karakia were being performed by Taranaki tohunga and kaumatua Sonny Waru, Te Koorae quietly passed away.
LOCATION
The Marae or Paa as we call it, is located on Phillips Ave, directly opposite the Otorohanga Primary School. Te Keeti was set aside on lands which originally belonged four kuia (sisters) their names were Ngaamihi Te Amohia Kingi, Kopa Kingi, Ngahina Ani Kingi and Tia Raukura Kingi. Ngaamihi and her siblings had very strong connections with Ngaati Urunumia, Ngaati Kaputuhi, Ngaati Hari, Ngaati Hinewai, Ngaati Rungaterangi and Ngaati Waiora. These relationships were whakapapa based and were kept alive through these kuia constantly visiting their huaanga across the Maniapoto rohe, thus nurturing and deepening their kinship ties. Tiaraukura eventually married Te Houpapa from Hiakaitupeka and from that union emerged many of the present day Ngaati Hari from Tuhua Hikurangi who still hold tangata whenua status on Te Keeti Marae. Ngahina Ani and her descendants still live around Otorohanga and include the whaanau of John Te Manu and Nunia Morgan. Kopa died leaving no issue.
Te Keeti sits within a stones throw from the sacred Waipaa river and in an area with a rich and full history dating back to the time of the early Maniapoto ancestors who traveled inland from Kaawhia shortly after the long voyage from Hawaiiki.
