Tamatekapua
Our Ancestral Meeting House
Step into the spiritual heart of Te Arawa culture, where the carved ancestors watch over all who gather beneath their protection
The House of Our Ancestor
Tamatekapua is more than a building - it is the physical embodiment of our ancestor's mana and the spiritual center of our community. Named after the chief who led the Arawa waka to Aotearoa, this sacred whare serves as our sanctuary and the place we feel most at home in the world.
As descendants of Tamatekapua, it is both humbling and empowering to host people from all nations beneath the watchful gaze of our eponymous ancestor. His carved image, along with other ancestral figures, adorns the walls and holds the mana of countless generations.
Every detail of this meeting house tells a story - from the carved genealogical patterns to the traditional construction techniques that have been preserved for centuries.
Respecting Sacred Spaces
Before You Enter
- • Remove shoes as a sign of respect
- • Wait for formal invitation to enter
- • Dress respectfully (no shorts or revealing clothing)
- • Turn off mobile phones and devices
- • Prepare to participate in welcome ceremony
During Your Visit
- • Listen respectfully to cultural explanations
- • Ask permission before taking photographs
- • Do not touch carvings or sacred objects
- • Participate in hongi (traditional greeting) if offered
- • Feel free to ask questions during appropriate times