Nau mai, haere mai! Please join us at this very special event to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of our beautiful wharenui, Ngākau Māhaki.
Make a time with your team mates to come along, even if it is just for the karakia, to watch the Kapa Haka performances, or to explore the exhibition and learn about the history of our wharenui, and the people behind the unique design and build of Ngākau Māhaki.
Dr Lyonel Grant
“Birth of a unique marae”
The concept of a Unitec marae was originally raised in 1999 by Dr John Webster, Chief Executive at the time along with the Unitec kaumatua Sir John Turei. In 2002, Lyonel Grant (Ngāti Pikiao), an award-winning master carver, was commissioned to build the wharenui. The project started to take shape in 2007 with the laying of the foundations, and in early 2009 Ngākau Māhaki was formally opened.
At the opening Hare Paniora was quoted in the media as saying, “Lyonel didn’t just want to decorate a box, he wanted to create a showcase for our culture and use traditional techniques – the carvings of the house are also its structure”. This is one of our marae’s unique features; the design was based on the traditional way whare were built – structurally it is held up by the carvings and where possible traditional methodologies were implemented.
Above, an original interior sketch and the completed work: Te huinga o te kahurangi ki tua o te arai – The gathering of spirits beyond the veil
You can learn about the history and design of Ngākau Māhaki here. At the event there will be more storytelling through an exhibition and videos which capture the connections made and build process.
Event programme:
Mt Albert campus: Tuesday 11 June· Turei 11 Pipiri @ Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae
- 7.00am: Karakia
- 10.00am: Exhibition, arts and craft, and food stalls
- 12.00pm: Kapa haka performances
Waitākere campus: Thursday 13 June · Taite 13 Pipiri @ Student Commons
- 8.30am: Karakia
- 10.00am: Exhibition, arts and craft stalls
- 12.00am: Kapa haka performances
More information
For more information or to offer to help on the day, contact Jess Aranui.