ŌMARUMUTU MARAE

Ōmarumutu marae is situated about thirteen kilometres east of the township of Ōpōtiki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty near the landing place of the Nukutere waka, which made landfall at a place called Awaawakino, now know as Maurice’s Bay about five kilometres eastward from Ōmarumutu. The marae overlooks the mouth of the Waiaua River. Turning inland to the south immediately behind the marae stands the mountain of Mākeo once a fortified pa of Ngāti Rua hapū.

Ko Ōmarumutu he kainga mai i nga ra o nehe ra Ōmarumutu was one of the original papakāinga of Te Whakatōhea. The name itself is an indication of the dense nature of early settlement. The region within five mile radius of the marae has over thirty papakāinga sites that have been occupied at various times over the last 500+ years.

Ōmarumutu marae is on the edge of the coastal terrace overlooking the sea, with White Island directly in front. It was well known as a favourite kite flying spot when the sea breeze swept in over the terrace-edge.

Over the years, there have been many different occasions held at Ōmarumutu marae where people gather, discuss, celebrate or even mourn the passing of whānau. The people and the occasions may change but the proverbial saying left by our tīpuna is timeless and is a reminder as to how Ōmarumutu marae was named.

“Maru ana te marae i te tangata, kāhore he mutunga”

(The marae is overflowing with people and never ending)

TŪTĀMURE

The wharenui is called Tūtāmure and was opened in March 1901. Four hundred pounds were raised to build Tūtāmure. The two main builders and carvers of Tūtāmure whare were Te Awanui Āporotanga and Tupara assisted by Waiapu Te Tawhiro, Raimona Papuni, Matiu Repanga, Morehu Heremaia, Ponaho Porikapa, Tauha Nikora and others of the Ngāti Rua hapū. The whare has a carved koruru, amo, raparapa and a carved head standing in the centre of the porch where the original paetapu once stood. The carved amo are named Amoa and Matahi. Inside the whare it is panelled with plain poupou and fluted lining in the ceiling. The massive ridge-pole or tahu is shaped out of a single tree that was felled at Oiratiti, well inland from Ōmarumutu. At the base of each rafter, expressive colourful paintings tell the history of the house and the Ngāti Rua people.

TĀNEROA

The wharemate (house of mourning) is called Tāneroa and was opened in March 1988. The wharemate is adjacent to Tūtāmure and named in honour of his sister.

HINEĪKAUĪA

The wharekai (dining room) is called Hineīkauīa and it is adjoined to the War Memorial Hall. Both buildings were officially opened on 18 March 1961.

WAR MEMORIAL HALL

The War Memorial hall is completely decorated inside with carvings, tukutuku and kōwhaiwhai all done by local people under the supervision of Pine Taiapa.

WAHAROA

At the northeast corner of the marae on the edge of the terrace is the main entrance, through a memorial arch erected in memory of Karera Waaka (Clara Walker), a chieftainess of Ngāti Rua.

TE RANGIMATANUI

On the coastal flat below Ōmarumutu marae is the three-acre ancestral cemetery of Ngāti Rua, known as Te Rangimatanui.

TE KŌHANGA REO O NUKUTERE

Te Kōhanga Reo o Nukutere is based at Ōmarumutu Marae and will celebrate 25 years in October 2019. The ancestral and natural setting of the marae based Kōhanga reo is central to all learning for children. Whānau are strongly committed to providing their children with real and relevant experiences that begin to shape who they are, their language, culture, heritage and identity.

Source: Journal of the Polynesian Society ; Ngāti Rua, Te Whakatōhea Booklet; ERO Report, 2014.