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What is the story of Waipapa Marae's wharekai?

Kawhia’s new wharekai is fit for a King

The custodians of Waipapa Marae opened their new wharekai in Kawhia in March 2019. King Tuheitia opened the new building that fulfils a long held dream for the hapū of Ngāti Hikairo and the late Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, who wanted 'a room with a view' of the Kawhia harbour.

It took more than a year of groundwork to get the people, funding and other resources together to build the new wharekai. The new dining room is expected to feed twice as many people as the previous building in one sitting, with half of the number of kitchen workers required to help feed guests during important annual events such as Poukai.

Oranga Marae funding, jointly provided by Te Puni Kōkiri and the Lottery Grants Board, has made this project possible. Check out a video of the opening ceremony from earlier this year.