Southern Marae

Arowhenua Marae, Temuka, South Island. 2007. Ajr

I drove south to Temuka recently to visit some of the people at Arowhenua Marae. This very handsome marae building overlooks a swampy landscape down a quiet side road, just off State Highway 1. There is also a Maori primary school next door. The South Island's Ngai Tahu iwi (tribe) has 18 runanga, which operate from individual marae. www.ngaitahu.iwi.nz