, Waikato district, 1844. It was associated with
Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, a chief who became the first
Māori king. In Māori society, the is a place where the culture can be celebrated, where the Māori language can be spoken, where intertribal obligations can be met, where customs can be explored and debated, where family occasions such as birthdays can be held, and where important ceremonies, such as welcoming visitors or farewelling the dead (
tangihanga), can be performed. Like the related institutions of old Polynesia, the
marae is a
wāhi tapu, a 'sacred place' which carries great cultural meaning. In Māori usage, the (often shortened to ) is the open space in front of the (meeting house; literally "large building"). Generally the term is used to refer to the whole complex, including the buildings and the . This area is used for
pōwhiri (welcome ceremonies) featuring oratory. The meeting house is considered the realm of the peace deity
Rongo while the surrounding
marae for the opposite
Tūmatauenga. Some (tribes) and (sub-tribes) do not allow women to perform oratory on their , though typically women perform a ('call'). The wharenui is the locale for important meetings, sleepovers, and craft and other cultural activities. The
wharekai (dining hall) is used primarily for communal meals, but other activities may be carried out there. Many of the words associated with in tropical Polynesia are retained in the Māori context. For example, the word refers to the bench where the speakers sit; this means it retains its sacred and ceremonial associations. vary in size, with some being a bit bigger than a double garage, and some being larger than a typical town hall.
Legal status A is a meeting place registered as a reserve under the
Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 (The Māori Land Act). Each has a group of trustees who are responsible for the operations of the . The Act governs the regulation of as reservations and sets out the responsibilities of the trustees in relation to the beneficiaries. Generally each has a charter which the trustees have negotiated with the beneficiaries of the . The charter details matters such as: • the name of the '''', and a description of it; • a list of the beneficiaries: usually (tribes/nations), (clans) or (families); in some cases, the is dedicated to the common good of the people of New Zealand. • the methods used to select trustees; • general governing principles of the ; • the ways in which the trustees may be held accountable by the beneficiaries, and methods for conflict resolution; • principles governing appointment and recognition of committees to administer the ; • procedures for amending the charter, and for ensuring adherence to its principles. The
New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Act 1963 was passed and the institute built to maintain the tradition of . The Institute is responsible for the building and restoration of over 40 around the country.
Traditional, church, and educational uses , New Zealand. The grassed area in front of the meeting house is the .Most iwi, hapū, and even many small settlements have their own marae. An example of such a small settlement with its own marae is at
Hongoeka Bay,
Plimmerton, the home of the renowned writer
Patricia Grace. Since the second half of the 20th century, Māori in urban areas have been establishing intertribal
marae such as
Maraeroa in eastern
Porirua. For many Māori, the
marae is just as important to them as their own homes. Some New Zealand churches also operate marae of their own, in which all of the functions of a traditional marae are carried out. Churches operating marae include the
Anglican,
Presbyterian, and
Catholic churches. In recent years, it has become common for educational institutions, including primary and secondary schools, technical colleges, and universities, to build marae for the use of the students and for the teaching of Māori culture. These marae may also serve as a venue for the performance of official ceremonies relating to the school. The of the
University of Auckland, for instance, is used for graduation ceremonies of the Māori Department, as well as welcoming ceremonies for new staff of the university as a whole. Its primary function is to serve as a venue for the teaching of (oratory), Māori language and culture, and important ceremonies for distinguished guests of the university. Two detailed secondary-school marae are located in the
Waikato at
Te Awamutu College and
Fairfield College. The latter was designed by a Māori architect with a detailed knowledge of
carving and
weaving; its features an intricately carved revolving (pillar) as well as many other striking features. In addition to school activities, it is used for weddings. Marae are increasingly viewed as a community resource for the wider community, not just Māori, in New Zealand. , near
Dunedin: as the name implies, education is a feature of the many activities held here.
Tangihanga (funeral rites) As in pre-European times, continue to be the location of many ceremonial events, including birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. The most important event located at marae is the . are the means by which the dead are farewelled and the surviving family members supported in Māori society. As indicated by Ka'ai and Higgins, "the importance of the tangihanga and its central place in marae custom is reflected in the fact that it takes precedence over any other gathering on the marae". ==Cook Islands==