Te Ara O Tāwhaki Turns 21

October 12, 2015

October 29 will see the celebration of 21 years of Te Ara o Tāwhaki marae on the Hawke’s Bay campus.1 Opening of Te Ara o Tawhaki sq

The late Tuahine Northover, along with Joseph Te
Rito, Mana Cracknell, Ihāia Hūtana, Pauline Tangiora
and many others were the dynamism behind the
wharepuni being built and opened in 1994.

The vision for the marae was to provide and support
students with their learning in a vibrant, kaupapa Māori environment. Over the years, as cultural awareness grew across the campus, it was pertinent that EIT house its noho marae (live in) and hui (meeting) at Te Ara o Tāwhaki to give full expression to kaupapa Māori and Mātauranga Māori.

More recent developments have been the opening of two spectacular buildings alongside Te Ara o
Tāwhaki – Ko Ngā Ara Tūmanako in 2004 and Te Ūranga Waka in 2012.

In 2011 the Tairāwhiti Polytechnic and EIT Hawke’s Bay merged – kia aha? Kia kotahi te hoe! – Why?

To align the educational needs of the people of Te Tairāwhiti and Ngāti Kahungunu.
We are excited about this celebration and will take the opportunity to acknowledge all of the stalwarts who dreamed a dream, a dream which is now a reality in many people’s lives today.

The architectural concept for Te Ūranga Waka (meaning the landing place of canoes) was that of a whare waka, with the waka as a representation of the TMM Te Uranga Waka Main Entrancelearning journey. The building’s form and east-facing orientation echo that of Te Ara o Tāwhaki – the symbolic heart of Te Ūranga Waka.

Serving as a symbolic gateway and cultural focal point for
the campus, the 300m2 building has administration offices, meeting areas, research space, and an  expansive reception area and exhibition space for Māori art and crafts.