Marae - the building
Customs and protocols
The welcoming ceremony – what to expect
Things you should not do on a marae
Other general reminders
What you will need to bring
Coming back to the marae
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How
- A Step-by-Step Guide to the Te Arotūriki Process - CONTINUED
DETAILS OF CONSULTATION PHASE
What to do if your meeting is on a Marae
Marae - the building
If you are required to host a meeting, in all likelihood it will be on a Marae. Marae are a focal point for Māoridom being a meeting house, church (for weddings, funerals and services), community hall, classroom (for wananga/workshops) and in some cases, a family home. Although the buildings themselves are tangible, far more important to Māori is the intangible values and spiritual significance of the buildings. It is the place that is held with the greatest respect because of its mana (prestige), wairua (spirituality) and the place in which Māori customs are given the ultimate expression. It is also a place where individuals can identify as their ‘standing place’ (turangawaewae), where if they belong, they have the right to stand to speak before others.
The term ‘marae’ usually refers to a group of buildings, rather than just one and the layout is quite similar from place to place. Not always, but quite common is for the buildings of a Marae to be painted soft yellow, with red roofs. The main meeting house (whare nui) is usually the large building that faces the main entrance way and grassed area. <more>. This is the building where you will be welcomed into and will conduct your meeting. If you are staying overnight, chairs will be cleared and replaced with mattresses and this is also where you will sleep. Most marae also have a dining room (whare kai), usually the large building to the left or right of the whare nui, where the food is prepared, and where you will eat. There are usually toilets (wharepaku) to the rear of the dining room, and other buildings (like for mattress storage). Some marae may have a separate church (whare karakia) or cemetery (urupa).
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