About Motuti | New Zealand Maori culture | Hokianga Harbour

The Motuti marae experience is based on the whanau – family – that is the heart of Motuti and New Zealand Maori culture.  

The marae is the community home and the people of Motuti gather at the Marae regularly. The community supports, nurtures, feeds, and teaches the next generation – visitors are welcomed and become part of the whanau.

There have been two marae at Motuti, the first belonging to a local whanau and the second the Motuti Parish Hall, built in 1936.

Motuti Marae was completed 20 years ago after many years of community effort.

MAORI TRADITIONS

Visitors to Motuti Marae learn traditional weaving, poi-making, waiata (songs), haka (traditional ‘dance’ or challenge) kemu (stick games) and bone and wood carving.
Carving is a significant cultural tradition for Maori and the Maori carvings in the whare hui - meeting house represent the different tupuna – ancestors – and relate the history and stories of the Hokianga Harbour.

BISHOP POMPALLIER

Bishop Jean Baptiste Francoise Pompallier was New Zealand’s first Catholic bishop and brought the Catholic faith to Maori in the Hokianga.
Born in Lyons, France in 1802, Bishop Pompallier spent 30 years in New Zealand. He fostered a close relationship with many Maori leaders, particularly in the Hokianga where he established his first Catholic mission station in 1838.
Bishop Pompallier was sympathetic to Maori concerns and had an enlightened attitude toward Maori culture. His influence saw Hokianga become known as ‘Te Kohanga O te Hahi Katorika, ki Aotearoa’ – The cradle of the Catholic faith in New Zealand.
The Catholic faith is still a large part of the culture and traditions of Maori in the Hokianga. In 2001 a delegation of 37 pilgrims went to France to accompany Pompallier’s remains back to New Zealand.
Bishop Pompallier’s remains are interred beneath the altar of Hata Maria - St Mary’s church, Motuti and pilgrims from around the world visit the site every year.