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.

Carpeted area with chairs set out facing each other. There is a large stained-glass window at the back of the room and doors leading off from both sides.

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.

A large patio space with a big glass door on the right-hand side of the building surrounding it. There are two smaller doors on the left.

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.

A man standing in front of a carved building with his hands clasped in front of him.

Guide to Rongomaraeroa in New Zealand Sign Language

Learn about Te Papa’s marae – a place for welcomes, ceremonies, and performances.

Pounamu in Te Marae, 2009. Photograph by Michael Hall. Te Papa

The pounamu (greenstone) on Rongomaraeroa – self-guided education visit

Rub the pounamu boulder on the marae on a self-guided visit to Te Papa. Learn about its origins and meaning.

Rongomaraeroa

An authentic and inclusive marae (communal meeting place) for the 21st century.

On now

Permanent exhibition

Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga

An older man sitting in a chair and laughing at someone off camera

Rongomaraeroa kōrero: Dr Sandy Adsett

Dr Sandy Adsett is one of the most influential Māori artists and teachers of his generation. He spoke at Te Papa on Saturday 30 October, 2021, at the invitation of Te Papa and Pātaka Art+Museum.

A colourful wall with carvings of stylised people doing different things and three cupboards in the central section.

Rongomaraeroa – self-guided education visit

Visit our contemporary marae (communal meeting place) on a self-guided visit to Te Papa. Explore the traditional and modern stories told through its design.