About Our Marae
Kororāreka Marae represents the people of the Russell Peninsula and beyond who have family and historic connections to this rohe.
We hold kaitiakitanga over the Kororāreka Russell Peninsula with support from hapū in Taumarere and wider Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu.
The tangata whenua of our town whakapapa to several hapū and iwi of the area – Ngāti Kuta, Patukeha, Ngāti Manu, Ngāre Raumati, Te Kapotai, Ngati Hine and Ngā Puhi to name a few.
Our whare embodies ngā hau e whā, and is therefore accessible to people from varying hapū. Connecting and working with the wider community of Kororāreka Russell.
The Kororāreka Marae Society is the mandated representative body for Kororāreka peninsula.
Our Mahi
Incorporated Society
Kororāreka Marae operates through an Incorporated Society with the purpose of providing the community, manuhiri, and whānau/hapū/iwi a place to gather, celebrate, and enjoy our people, music, kai, and Te Ao Māori traditions. The Society leases the whare from the Department of Conservation and is made up of a dedicated committee of whanau.
Hauora Health Clinics
Hauora enabling access for kuia, kaumatua and senior citizens monthly clinics run in association with Ngati Hine Health, Tapuhi Nursing Service and Russell area St John’s. The focus is on our seniors however the service is open to everyone. Services include blood pressure and glucose checks, podiatry, mirimiri, exercises, screenings as well as guest speakers. It also provides a chance for our seniors to socialise and enjoy shared kai.
Te Reo
Kororāreka Marae, in partnership with Te Wananga o Aotearoa, host Te Reo classes. These classes have been well attended by locals, both Māori and Pakeha, resulting in more Te Reo being spoken in the community. Graduate men can sit on the taumata as kai kōrero and women who can now be kai karanga. A group of former tauira continue to meet at Haratu for conversational practice weekly.
Tangata Whenua Consultation
Our Rōpu Tai Ao sub-committee is listed for tangata whenua consultation by the Far North District Council and Northland Regional Council, as well as Heritage New Zealand. We are asked to comment on Resource Consent and similar applications. We also work directly with property owners wishing for pre-consultation, which we encourage. We have a strong relationship with Russell Landcare Trust and Russell Protection Society.
Tikanga Māori
As a Marae, we are developing and practicing our own Tikanga and have held regular hui and wānanga over the years. We have hosted several large powhiri, and this year hosted the 160th anniversary commemoration of the raising of the Pou Kara on Maunga Maiki which was attended by The Governor-General. Our Marae is available for Tangihanga. Tupapaku can be brought there to lie and be visited by whanau and friends.
Kaitiakitanga
Kororāreka Marae holds kaitiakitanga for Maiki on behalf of ngā iwi and hapu of Taumarere and wider Ngāpuhi Nui Tonu. Kororareka Marae has the responsibility of managing cultural and historical matters regarding the environment: Te Moana o Pikopiko i Whiti, inland waterways, whenua and wāhi tapu of the Russell Peninsula. Our task is to maintain and enhance the mauri of taonga tuku iho in the Kororāreka environment.
Community Involvement
In accordance with our kaupapa of Ngā Hau e Wha, several community groups and organisations use Haratu for their meetings and other purposes. These include Russell Landcare Trust, Te Au Marie Trust, Russell Waka-Ama Club, Russell Recyclers, Russell Te Reo group, Russell Business Association, Guardians of the Bay and Project Island Song.
Hui
The whare is also the venue for meetings of Te Runanga o Taumarere ki Rakaumangamanga including Rohe Moana, Russell Museum, Te Au Marie Trust, Te Putake o Te Riri as well as DoC for discussions regarding Maiki, with whom we partner as kaitiaki of that maunga. We charge no fees for these groups, they are free to offer koha as they see fit.
Putea
The society has no formal income stream. When we first took over the whare in 2009 we ran a shop and gallery as a fundraiser but it was later decided that this did not fit with the Society’s Purposes or kaupapa so the shop was closed. Since then we rely on koha and membership contributions.
The vision, establishment, management, and kaupapa of Haratu, Kororāreka Marae is upheld by a dedicated group of kaitiaki
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Chairperson
Nga Puhi, Ngati Awa, Te Whanau A Apanui oku iwi. A passionate driver of education, community spirit, and Te Ao Māori.
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Secretary
A Lawyer, a poet and teacher at Russell Primary School. St Johns Order of Merit and the heart of the Russell Community
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Current Treasurer
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Current Hauora Coordinator
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Committee Member
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Committee Member
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Committee Member
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Communications Coordinator
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Committee Member
