The centrepiece of Te Noho Kotahitanga marae quietly turned 16 last week. But the milestone was not lost on a gathering of Unitec kaimahi, who came together at Puukenga to share kai, reflect and celebrate the sixteenth anniversary of the wharenui opening on 13 March, 2009.
Ngākau Māhaki was built and designed by Te Arawa master carver, Dr Lyonel Grant and was the first whare whakairo in nearly a century to be created using traditional architectural approaches.
Before its construction, Puukenga had served as Unitec’s marae, wharekai, classroom space and administrative centre since 1993.
The idea to build a marae for Unitec came after the former CEO, Dr John Webster, attended the opening of Manukau Institute of Technology’s marae Ngā Kete Wānanga in 1999.
A challenge to build Unitec’s first marae was taken up by the late Sir John Turei, and Haare Williams, Unitec’s Pae Arahi at the time, on behalf of the institution.
Kai Awhina, Whaea Lynda Toki, beams with pride as she reflected on Ngākau Māhaki opening and what it means to the wider Unitec whānau and community today.
“I reconnect to that day of the opening where Unitec staff and students came and carried the pou from Lyonel’s carving shed down (on the northern end of the Mt Albert campus near Entry 1) and placed it where Ngākau Māhaki is now,” remembers Whaea Lynda.
“The opportunity for staff and students to be involved was a significant moment. They were amazing and turned out in full force from the 4am early morning karakia to the end of the opening ceremony.”
Academic Development Lecturer (Pacific), Venusi Taumoepeau remembers taking part in the opening as a student. “I was in my final year of study in Performing and Screen Arts and remember being asked with other students to take part in carrying the pou to the marae – it was a special moment,” he recalls.
Fast forward to 2025 and Ngākau Māhaki is now a focal point for all Unitec kaimahi and ākonga.
Subject librarian Norasieh Md Amin describes the whare as a special space for the wider Unitec whānau.
“This is the house where we welcome all new students to Unitec. Once they are welcomed in pōwhiri, they become part of the whānau, ready to embark on their journey to seek knowledge, experience and skills,” she remarks.
“We’re so lucky to have her,” says Whaea Lynda. “Since opening, Ngākau Māhaki has become a classroom for students, a space that our programmes utilise often, and a place for learning our Te Tiriti and Te Noho Kotahitanga values. She is appropriately named after one of our values, which respects diversity and inclusive of all our students no matter where in the world they come from.”
Many students continue to have a close relationship with Ngākau Māhaki after they have graduated bringing their organisations back to the whare for wānanga, conferences, workshops and retreats.