Almost sixty years ago on Saturday 17th June 1967 our wharenui Aotea Tuatoru was opened at Mākirkiri.

A momentous day for our hapū Ngāti Mutuahi, for Ngāti Pakapaka and for Rangitāne whānui, it marked the culmination of years of hard work to relocate the wharenui from its former site at Tahoraiti to Mākirikiri.

We were honoured by the attendance of Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu at the dawn ceremony which opened the wharenui.

Also in attendance later that day were the Prime Minister the Rt Hon. Sir Keith Holyoake and the Metropolitan of New Zealand Archbishop Peter McKeefry as well as more than 2,000 other people.

At the end of July we held our first wānanga to plan for the 60th anniversary celebrations which will happen in June 2027.

With the anniversary fast approaching, we are putting out the call to any whānau who whakapapa to our marae or members of the community who were there for that historic day and who would be keen to share their photos, videos or simply their memories with us.

Do you remember the whaikōrero from that day? How about the hāngī, the performance by the Waipatu Māori Club, or the arrival of Te Arikinui, if so we want to hear from you!

And if you want to help us prepare you can join our monthly wānanga held on the last Friday and Saturday of the month, in person at Mākirikiri Marae or via Zoom.

To share your photos, video or memories please contact Mākirikiri Marae Committee Chairperson Lorraine Stephenson. Email: l-stevo@xtra.co.nz

Phone: 0274320923