Through our Marae page we hope to share whats happening at our Marae with all of you living away from home. There are three Marae situated in Whirinaki: Mātai Aranui, Moria and Pā Te Aroha. The Whare Tupuna (ancestral house) is unusual in its design as it was built in 1876 by a French Canadian, Jack Flesher who married the sister of a local chief (descendents of this union are still in the area). Originally the Whare Tupuna was built as a community hall similar in basic design to numerous community halls in rural areas of Aotearoa New Zealand. It commenced use as the Whare Tupuna of the local hapu in 1880s. The fact that Mātai Aranui is not designed as a traditional Whare Tupuna or Wharenui does not in any way diminish its significance or importance to the hapū of Te Hikutū. The name Mātai Aranui is derived from Mātakitaki (looking to something) Mātai and Ara; the pathway which leads to the Atua, Aranui the broad pathway. The pathway which those of us living do not see until we pass on. Loosely translated then, the name Mātai Aranui refers us to “look to the wide pathway of our Atua”. Timber for this construction was felled from the bush around Tuwhatero, te rere o Whirinaki, by local men including Rawiri Wikaira. The Hapū that affiliate to Mātai Aranui Marae are Ngāti Parenga, Ngāti Kerewheti, Ngāti Tuapango, Ngāti Te Hikutū, Ngāti Kairewa and Ngāti Whānauwhero. The hapū of Te Hikutū is centred around Whirinaki, we join with our whanaunga, the hapū of Mahurehure, Ngāti Hau and Ngāti Kaharau on the west side. To the east Te Hikutū is neighboured by Ngāti Korokoro, Ngāti Wharara and Te Roroa. Te Hikutū's rohe is further defined by the maunga Te Ramaroa and the Hokianga harbour to the north. Te Hikutū is one of the oldest hapū in Aotearoa New Zealand. If a person affiliates to Te Hikutū, then that person descends from Kupe. Many of the Ngāpuhi signatories to the Treaty of Waitangi come from Te Hikutū. There are a large number of people who can whakapapa to Mātai Aranui Marae. There are approximately 500 whānau members living locally, and many more members who have an active involvement with the Marae. Many of these people live across New Zealand and increasingly Australia. Our current Marae Trustees are:
- Anna Brown (Chairperson)
- Samantha Broad (Secretary)
- Gina Selwyn (Treasurer)
- Paula Hohua
- Irene Hancy (Lifetime Trustee)
- Lawrence Wikaira
- Hokena Selwyn
- Krystyna Selwyn
- Nikki King
- Dallas King
- Missy Naera
- Maraea Handley
- Tane Wikaira
- Iona Wikaira
- Dawn De Oliveire
- Beatrice Cherrington
