‘A place for all to stand’: the new Ngā Tauira Marae

In the early hours of a crisp winter morning, as the city of Auckland laid still, up to 150 people gathered for a dawn ceremony and the re-opening of Tūtahi Tonu wharenui on 10 August.

The sounds of karakia and kaikōrero echoed through the grounds of the City Campus, and the wairua of past rangatira, who laid the foundation for Tūtahi Tonu, were honoured.

The wharenui, previously at the University’s Epsom Campus within Te Aka Matua ki Te Pou Hawaiki Marae, now stands proudly in a new home on the City Campus in a marae with a new name – Ngā Tauira.

This name, gifted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the University’s iwi-manaaki, reflects the unique identity and spirit of the marae, and also its connections with Waipapa Marae.

Ngā Tauira Marae occupies a significant space within Building 113, behind the Old Barracks Wall.

Relocating Tūtahi Tonu to the City Campus was no easy feat, but essential.

Following the closure of Epsom Campus, a number of university leaders wanted to preserve Tūtahi Tonu’s legacy.

The original structure could not have survived a move, but the essence of the wharenui – the tukutuku panels and whakairo – were preserved and relocated.

This process was overseen by tohunga whakairo (master carver) Katz Maihi, who also introduced new carvings to enhance the cultural narrative of the marae.

Maihi honoured the vision of Tarutaru Rankin, founder of the original Epsom Marae, Te Aka Matua ki Te Pou Hawaiki, by creating a space that welcomes all cultures. To the right of the marae entrance stands a carving dedicated to wāhine and the transmission of generational knowledge, a recognition of the strong women leadership at the University of Auckland. To the left is a manaia, symbolising the pursuit of knowledge by students. At the back, a taniwha connects Māori and Asian cultures.

Original artworks and carvings by former students also adorn the wharenui, reflecting the diversity of the University, with influences from Tonga, Sāmoa, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and Scotland. These were gifts from alumni who previously studied at the Faculty of Education and Social Work and found a home within Tūtahi Tonu.

During the ceremony, Maihi reflected on the significance of the new marae, stating the importance of community in shaping its future.

“The people are really what makes the whare. Anei tō koutou whare – here is your whare.”

Principal lecturer Hēmi Dale noted that Tūtahi Tonu was established 40 years ago, at a time when te ao Māori looked different in Aotearoa, but said today’s political climate creates challenges. Speakers acknowledged the political challenges facing Māori today, but said Ngā Tauira Marae will play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of Māori leaders.

“A lot of the things we’ve worked hard for over the past 40 plus years are coming under threat,” said Dale. “That’s the history that has also shaped Tūtahi Tonu, and it is our hope that students who walk through these doors will find a space that enables them to be Māori.”

The son of Tarutaru Rankin, the founder of Tūtahi Tonu, spoke of his father’s dedication to nurturing students’ passion for all things Māori and his ability to navigate both Māori and Pākehā worlds.

“This is the place where all our leaders come through – past, present, and future,” Brian Rankin said.

“Dad built the minds of students who became passionate about all things Māori; he took them across Aotearoa to many different marae. He knew how to navigate te ao Pākehā, forming great relationships in both worlds. By binding them together, he started this project, which we honour today.

“That was his genius – bringing people together. This whare provides us all a place to stand.”