Ruapōtaka Marae

🌿 Haere mai e te whānau! 🌿

Interested in learning Te Reo Māori? Come down to Whare Kāmaka at Ruapōtaka Marae today until 5.00pm to register and find out more about our upcoming fees-free Te Pōkaitahi Reo Level 1 course.

This 12-week programme is perfect for beginners wanting to start their reo journey in a supportive and welcoming environment. Classes will be held on Mondays and Thursdays from 2.00pm to 5.00pm, running from 21 September to 13 December 2026.

Come and meet our kaiako Tamara Hapi, ask any questions, and learn more about what the course has to offer. Whether you're looking to strengthen your connection to te reo, support your whānau, or simply give it a go, we'd love to see you.

📍 Whare Kāmaka, Ruapōtaka Marae
⏰ Today until 5.00pm

Nau mai, haere mai, whakatau mai. Your reo journey starts here! 💚

🎶 Celebrating Culture, Friendship & Music Without Barriers 🎶

Tomorrow evening at The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, Ruapōtaka Marae is proud to be represented by Missy, Aunty Libby, Teina, Larli and Chyme as they join a collaborative choir alongside our Chinese whānau and a full Symphony Orchestra at the 2026 New Zealand International Music Competition Closing Awards & Charity Symphony Concert.

Together, they will perform a newly commissioned work in Māori, English and Chinese, celebrating friendship, cultural diversity and unity through the power of music.

This performance celebrates the strong relationship between Ruapōtaka Marae and our Chinese community partners, particularly CNNST Foundation. Last month, our Raukura were privileged to perform at the Auckland finale of the WLSA Oceania Education Tour 2026 at the Aotea Centre, and one of our rangatahi Payton Makoare-Moon had the opportunity to travel to China through a cultural exchange programme.

Together, these experiences reflect the values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and kotahitanga, strengthening connections between our communities through culture, education and friendship.

We are incredibly proud of our whānau representing Ruapōtaka Marae on this special stage. ❤️🎶

⚠️ Please note: An earlier post incorrectly stated Level 2. The programme being offered is Te Pōkaitahi Reo Level 1.

If you've been thinking about learning te reo Māori, now is the perfect time to start! Join us at Ruapōtaka Marae for this fees-free beginner-programme starting in September.

📅 Information Sessions: Monday 24th & Thursday 27th August (2pm to 5pm)
📍 Whare Kāmaka, Ruapōtaka Marae
📚 Classes: Mondays & Thursdays, 2pm to 5pm

For more information, contact Tamara Hapi: [email protected]

📢Correction‼️ The programme advertised yesterday is Te Pōkaitahi Reo Level 1, not Level 2.

🌿 Study Te Reo Māori Fees Free at Ruapōtaka Marae! 🌿

Ruapōtaka Marae is excited to offer this opportunity to our hāpori to learn, strengthen and grow in te reo Māori through Te Pōkaitahi Reo Level 2, delivered in partnership with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

📢 If you're interested, we strongly encourage you to attend one of the enrolment information sessions. This is your chance to meet the kaiako, learn more about the programme, ask questions, and complete your registration.

Enrolment Information Sessions:
📅 Monday 24 August | 2pm–5pm
📅 Thursday 27 August | 2pm–5pm
📍 Whare Kāmaka, Ruapōtaka Marae

Course Details:
📚 Classes begin 21 September 2026
🗓 Mondays & Thursdays | 2pm–5pm
⏱️ 12-week programme
📍 Whare Kāmaka, Ruapōtaka Marae

✅ Fees Free
✅ Learn in a supportive marae environment
✅ Delivered in partnership with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
✅ Open to our wider hapori.

Whether you're looking to build confidence in everyday kōrero or continue your reo journey, this is a great opportunity to learn alongside others in our hapori.

📧 For enquiries and enrolments: [email protected]

Nau mai, haere mai e te whānau. Let's grow our reo together. ❤️🖤🤍

🚗 Get Your Learner's Licence in One Day at Ruapōtaka Marae! 🚗

Our next Learner's Licence Theory Wānanga is happening this Thursday 20 August.

✅ Kaupapa Māori facilitators
✅ Interactive learning environment
✅ VTNZ testing on-site (correct ID required)

📚 Learning Session: 8am-12pm
📝 Testing: 12:30pm-4pm

Already studied and ready to sit your test? You don't need to attend the class. Come along in the morning and sit your Learner's Licence test with VTNZ on-site. Testing-only spaces will be available.

📅 Upcoming dates: • Thurs 20 Aug • Thurs 3 Sept • Thurs 17 Sept • Wed 30 Sept

Spaces fill quickly, so be sure to register early.
📧 Register: [email protected]

Whether you're starting your Learner's Licence journey or you're ready to sit your test, we're here to support you every step of the way.

🚗✨

✨ Hautuku | Matariki 2026 ✨

Another special highlight from our Matariki 2026 celebrations was our very first Hautuku Ceremony held here at Ruapōtaka Marae.

This intimate gathering brought together our kaimahi, kaumātua and marae whānau in a moment of reflection, remembrance and renewal.

Hautuku is a traditional Māori ceremony held at sunset, marking the end of an old cycle and providing an opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed. It is a time to farewell loved ones who have passed on, release the burdens and challenges we have carried, and prepare ourselves for the journey ahead.

Unlike a Hautapu ceremony, which is traditionally held before dawn and focuses on giving thanks and acknowledging the abundance of the year ahead, Hautuku takes place as the sun sets. The fading light symbolises closure and release, inviting us to let go of pain, negativity, and experiences that no longer serve us, creating space for healing, growth and new beginnings.

A special part of our ceremony was the taura ritual. Whānau were invited to weave their thoughts, experiences, memories, and reflections into the taura before it was offered to the flames. Through karakia and fire, these burdens and acknowledgements were released, while also creating an opportunity to look forward with hope and intention for the coming year.

As this was our first Hautuku, it was a meaningful opportunity for our marae whānau to come together, honour our connections to one another and our tīpuna, and continue learning about and revitalising traditional practices that strengthen who we are as Māori.

He wā whakamaumahara, he wā whakawhetai, he wā titiro whakamua.
A time to remember, a time to give thanks, and a time to look forward.

🐶 Calling All Dog Owners! 🐶

Do you own a dog or are you thinking about getting one? Join us at Ruapōtaka Marae for a Responsible Dog Ownership Hui with Animal Management.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about:

🐾 Dog registration requirements
🐾 Microchipping your dog
🐾 Responsible dog ownership
🐾 Keeping your whānau, pets, and community safe
🐾 Responsible Dog Owner Licences and how to qualify

Animal Management staff will be on hand to answer your questions, provide practical advice, and guide you through the registration and microchipping process. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or have cared for dogs for many years, this hui offers valuable information and support for all dog owners.

📅 Event Details

Date: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Time: 3:00pm
Venue: Ruapōtaka Marae

🐕 Important Reminder

For the comfort and safety of everyone attending, please leave your kurī at home. This hui is designed for dog owners and whānau to attend and learn, and dogs are not required for the session.

Bring your questions, bring a friend, and come along to learn how we can all contribute to a safer community for our whānau and our four-legged friends.

💙 Together, let's support responsible dog ownership and create a safer environment for people and pets across our community.

Nau mai, haere mai. We look forward to seeing you there! 🐶🐾💙

🌙 Maramataka One-Day Wānanga | Ruapōtaka Marae 🌙

Ruapōtaka Marae is proud to continue offering wānanga for our hāpori, creating opportunities to reconnect with mātauranga Māori, strengthen wellbeing, and deepen our understanding of the world around us.

We're excited to share our upcoming Maramataka One-Day Wānanga with renowned kaiako Mihi Tibble, being held later this month.

Together we'll explore the relationship between te taiao (our environment), te tinana (our bodies), mauri (our life force) and the connection to the moon phases through Maramataka.

"Whaia te taiao, ka kitea te māramatanga."
"Follow the natural world and understanding will be found."

📅 Tuesday 25 August
🕘 9:00am Pōwhiri | 9:30am - 12:30pm Wānanga
📍 Ruapōtaka Marae
👥 Limited to 25 participants.

Registrations are essential.
📧 [email protected]
📞 027 346 2491

✨ Keep an eye on our social media channels for more upcoming wānanga and workshops as we continue to grow learning opportunities for our hāpori.

🌿🌙

🚗 LEARNER LICENCE TEST DAY THIS THURSDAY 🚗

Kia ora e te hāpori,

Just a friendly reminder that our next Learner Licence Test-Only Day is happening this Thursday 6th August, with VTNZ on-site conducting learner licence tests in our whare, Āwhina Tangata.

These Test-Only Days are designed for those who are ready to sit their test. However, if you're not quite ready, haere mai anyway! Our kaiārahi will be available to help build your knowledge and confidence. If you think you'll need a bit of extra support, we recommend attending the morning session.

If you're looking for a more structured learning experience before sitting your test, kei te pai! Our next One-Day Learner Licence Wānanga will be held on Thursday 20th August.

📧 To register: [email protected]

Your licence journey starts with one step. Let us help you get there.

Please help us spread the word by tagging or sharing this post with whānau and friends who are working towards getting their licence.

Tuia te muka tangata, kia pai here mō te hāpori. 💙

🚗✨

✨ Matariki Hautapu 2026 ✨

As part of Ruapōtaka Marae's 21st year of celebrating Matariki with our hāpori, we were privileged to come together this year for a special joint Hautapu with our wider whānau.

For many years, Ruapōtaka Marae has hosted a Hautapu atop Taurere (Mt Taylor), a place of deep significance to our marae. Taurere is connected to our tipuna Parehuia, who returned there following the death of her husband, Turanga-i-mua, and was later laid to rest within her karaka grove on the maunga, where her legacy continues to live on through the karaka that still grow there today.

A huge ngā mihi nui to Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Puau Te Moananui-a-Kiwa for hosting this year's Hautapu, in collaboration with Ruapōtaka Marae, Te Kōhanga Reo o Puau, and Te Kōhanga Reo o Arapeta.

This year's Ruapōtaka Marae Matariki theme, "Matariki herenga waka, Matariki herenga tangata", speaks to the binding together of our waka, our people, and our collective journey. It reflects the importance of connection, unity, and strengthening the ties that bring us together as a hāpori.

Bringing our whole community together as one was truly special and undoubtedly one of the highlights of our Matariki celebrations this year. Together, we remembered those who have passed, celebrated the present, and looked towards the future with hope and purpose.

Matariki hunga nui, Matariki ahunga nui. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this occasion so meaningful.

❤️🖤🤍