Project Reaches Major Milestone

Ngāmotu Marae Project Reaches Major Milestone with Laying of the Mauri

Ngāti Te Whiti Hapū Society and the Ngāmotu Marae Reservation Trust marked a significant step in the creation of Ngāmotu Marae on Saturday 13 December, with hapū members gathering for the laying of the mauri stone at the Bayly Road site.

This ceremony represents one of the most meaningful early stages in the cultural formation of a marae. The mauri was placed within the whenua beneath the future location of the Poutuarongo, the central post that will one day stand at the heart of the wharenui. This act grounds the project in the whakapapa, tikanga, and aspirations of Ngāti Te Whiti, connecting Ngāmotu Marae, its people, and the land in a deep and enduring way.

Shelton Healey, Chair of Ngāmotu Marae Reservation Trust, says the moment carries both cultural and emotional significance for the hapū.

“Laying the mauri is about anchoring our vision in the whenua. It signals a new phase for Ngāmotu Marae, a home for Ngāti Te Whiti and a place of welcome, learning, and connection for the people of this city. This moment honours our past while grounding the future we are building together.”

The laying of the mauri was a gathering of hapū and Trust members, acknowledging the significance of this stage of the project. It reflects years of planning, partnership, and committed mahi to bring the marae to life beside Ngāmotu Beach.

Ngāmotu Marae will serve as a vibrant cultural and community hub, strengthening relationships across generations and enriching the cultural fabric of Taranaki. The project has already received strong support from partners including New Plymouth District Council, the Regional Mayoral Forum, Toi Foundation, Taranaki Foundation, Te Tāha Māori Property Trust of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, private donors, and local businesses who recognise the value this marae will bring to the region.

Healey says the progress so far reflects the determination and belief of many.
“This kaupapa has always been bigger than any one group. The support we have received speaks to the shared belief in what Ngāmotu Marae will mean for Ngāti Te Whiti and for the people of Taranaki. The laying of the mauri is an important milestone, one that brings us closer to turning our vision into reality.”