What happens on the marae at Te Papa

Everyone can feel welcome to Rongomaraeroa and it is generally open during standard museum hours for manuhiri to engage with via signage, free tours, and online resources.

However, Rongomaraeroa also operates as a functional marae which is a site to conduct Māori ceremonies of welcome and acknowledgement in accordance to marae kawa and tikanga. This means at times there is limited access to these spaces for health and cultural safety reasons.  

Rongomaraeroa is a functional area within the museum where people meet, discuss, and debate, as well as celebrate. It also operate as a contemporary expression of Māori cultural values and artistic excellence within its museum context.

Here are some examples of the many roles and functions Rongomaraeroa provides Te Papa:

• Pōwhiri – formal welcoming ceremony where various entrance points are activated on the marae

• Repatriation of kōiwi tangata, kōimi tangata/kōimi tchakat and/or taonga

• A place to share mātauranga Māori and manaakitanga

• A place ofMaumahara

• A site to recognise key events such as Matariki

• Acknowledgement ceremonies for new acquisitions

• A platform for kōrero and debate

• Recognition of key events such as Matariki

• A place for learning and development

• Entertainment, such as Public Programing events

• School holiday programme events for whānau

• An open place to sit and collect your thoughts.

Past events on Rongomaraeroa

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