Maori Place Names - 93

A Marae

South Taranaki

North Island

May 2010. Ajr

A South Taranaki Marae

The sun was just rising when I stopped across the road from the Whenuakura Marae, north of Waverley and south of Patea in South Taranaki, on my way to New Plymouth in May this year. It's a pretty spot, located beside the Whenuakura River against a backdrop of classically green Taranaki hills and a thicket of gum trees. There were dewy tracks through the grass that morning, the doors were open and the caretaker's lawn mower was parked ready for action; but there wasn't a soul about, so I drove on. I've since discovered that the marae is home to the Kaikurakau and Pomotangi hapu of Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi - www.ngarauru.org.nz