This week our school visited the Hukanui marae. We as Manuhiri (visitors) were welcomed onto the marae by the tangata whenua (people of the land). The Hukanui marae is the marae that Hamilton East School has a connection to.
The marae was moved because of the arrival of British troops in 1864. The new wharepuni (camp hut) was built from ponga logs and raupo reeds. Named after the nearby swamp land. It is very foggy on cold frosty mornings, and the fog hangs down low on the ground. The second Maaori king was Tawhaio, Tukuroto Matutaera Potatau Te Wherowhero. He called the Wharenui 'Tu Tururu-a-papa kamutu'. Enduring the land. To the people, this means that they will not be made to move again. Their marae is their home and it will always be there.
We are now a part of the Hukanui Marae.
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| Marae experience - By Layton Mace |
