View of the Rongomaraeroa marae, including the wharenui

Te Marae o Te Papa Tongarewa: RongomaraeroaThe Marae of Te Papa Tongarewa: Rongomaraeroa

Rongomaraeroa is a unique marae within Aotearoa New Zealand. Like all marae, it is founded on Māori principles of kawa and tikanga and was created for our unique museum context.

Rongomaraeroa is a contemporary marae that acknowledges the whakapapa and the taonga of all peoples who call Aotearoa New Zealand home.

A large boulder in a room. It is partly green and partly yellow. It's sitting in a large wet bowl with running water.

Rongomaraeroa – the heart of Te Papa

Rongomaraeroa is the heart of Museum life – a place to welcome, celebrate, and hold ceremonies. It is also a living exhibition, showcasing contemporary Māori art and design.

Detail of Te Marae doors, which represent Ranginui. Photograph by Kate Whitley. Te Papa

The connected elements of Rongomaraeroa

Our marae comprises various elements stretching outside and into the heart of the museum – the marae ātea (open spaces), the wharenui (large meeting houses), and the three pathways that provide access to Rongomaraeroa.

A father and daughter hold hand on an ornately carved wharenui (large meeting house)

Te Hono ki Hawaiki: the contemporary wharenui at Te Papa

The wharenui (main meeting house) on our marae, Te Hono ki Hawaiki, represents the human form with elements of the house being likened to the head, arms, legs, ribs, and spine and uses contemporary design in wharenui building customs.

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What happens on the marae at Te Papa

All people have a right to connect to this marae (gathering place) through a shared understanding of whakapapa (ancestry) and the mana (prestige ) of the taonga (treasures) held at Te Papa.