Story by Mere Whaanga

Main image: A working bee at Waimārama marae in Hawke's Bay

The marae

Themarae is where a community bound by ancestral ties comes together to celebrate, grieve and discuss issues – no matter how far away from each other they normally live.

Eachmarae is on communally held land. It generally has awharenui (meeting house), a wharekai (dining room with attached kitchen) and an ablution block.

It may have a constitution or charter containing details of its management and running.

The marae trustees

Everymarae has trustees, elected by the people who belong to thatmarae. The trustees must be formally approved by the Māori Land Court, and their roles are governed by regulations.

The trustees have the ultimate responsibility for allmarae matters. However, the wider community keeps themarae going, and there may be a separatemarae committee responsible for its everyday running.

Preparing for tangihanga and other events

A person who dies is brought back to their ancestralmarae. At what may be very short notice the haukāinga (the people who live nearby and keep themarae going) must prepare for the arrival of thewhānau pani (the bereaved). Their tasks include cleaning, organising bed linen and buying groceries. The kitchen team prepares food for thewhānau pani for the duration of thetangihanga.

The marae community

Marae upkeep is expensive. There are bills for insurance, electricity, phone, maintenance and repairs, as well as accountancy fees, catering expenses and more.

The trustees occasionally call for working bees to get through essential maintenance tasks.

To help meet expenses, amarae generally charges a per-day fee forhui and meetings. Mostmarae do not charge fortangihanga, but thewhānau gives a koha (donation). Nonetheless, there is often still a shortfall. Extra fundraising activities may include raffles, galas, dinners and classes.

Because of the costs involved somemarae have fallen into disrepair. However, many thrive – thanks to the hard work of community volunteers.