Ko au te awa, Ko te awa ko au
Mana whenua and kaitiaki of Tieke Marae
Marae Booking EnquiryNgāti Hinekura stands as mana whenua and kaitiaki of Tieke Marae, guardians of our ancestral lands and the sacred awa that flows through our rohe. Our iwi has maintained an unbroken connection to this whenua for countless generations, living by the whakataukī "Ko au te awa, Ko te awa ko au" - I am the river and the river is me.
Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura, our beautiful whare nui, serves as the beating heart of our community where whānau gather to maintain our tikanga and ensure our taonga tuku iho are passed on to future generations. As kaitiaki, we work closely with conservation partners and welcome visitors who come to learn about our culture and connection to the land.
Jet Boat from Pipiriki:
Contact local operators for bookings to Tieke landing. Journey time approximately 45 minutes upstream.
Waka Journey:
Join the annual Tira Hoe or other organized waka expeditions down the Whanganui River.
Walking Track:
Accessible via the Whanganui River Road and walking tracks - contact us for current track conditions.
Essential Items:
Weather-appropriate clothing, sturdy footwear, rain gear, personal kai and water.
Cultural Considerations:
Koha for the marae, respect for tikanga Māori, and an open heart to learn.
Overnight Stays:
Sleeping bag, personal toiletries, torch/headlamp. Basic facilities available.
Accommodation:
Dormitory-style sleeping in our whare. Bookings essential.
Meals:
Kai can be arranged with advance notice. Kitchen facilities available for self-catering.
Activities:
Cultural workshops, guided walks, whakapapa sharing, and traditional kai preparation available by arrangement.
Our marae and wharenui are available for cultural events and special occasions. Check availability below and contact us to make your booking.
Interested in booking Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura? Please send us an email with your preferred dates and event details.
June 15, 2025
Ngāti Hinekura has strengthened our partnership with the Department of Conservation to protect the sacred waterways and native flora around Tieke Marae. This collaboration sees our rangatahi working with DOC rangers on biodiversity monitoring and predator control, ensuring our taonga are preserved for the future.
March 8-12, 2025
Our whare has once again welcomed the Tira Hoe Waka for their annual river journey. For five days, paddlers from across Aotearoa gathered at Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura, sharing kōrero, kai, and waiata. The waka journey embodies the living connection between our people and Te Wainui-ā-Rua.
April 22-25, 2025
Over 100 whānau members returned home to Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura for our annual hui. Four days of whakapapa sharing and cultural workshops saw our whare alive with the voices of pakeke and tamariki alike. These gatherings strengthen our iwi bonds and ensure our tikanga continues to flourish.
We welcome visitors who come with respect for our tikanga Māori and our role as kaitiaki. Please honor the mauri of our awa, show reverence in our whare, and understand that Tieke is a living, sacred space. Come prepared to participate in our cultural practices with an open mind and heart.
Āe (yes)! All visits must be booked in advance so we can prepare our whare for manuhiri and coordinate with transport operators. We recommend booking 2-4 weeks ahead, especially during summer and Tira Hoe season.
Your visit includes a pōwhiri, sharing kai together, and learning about our connection to the Whanganui River. You'll sleep in our communal whare, participate in daily karakia, and may join cultural activities like waiata or conservation work. This is an authentic marae experience.
Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura offers shared sleeping areas, communal kitchen, composting toilets, and solar lighting. Fresh water is available. There's no cell coverage - a chance to disconnect and connect with our cultural practices and natural environment.
We operate on a koha basis, respecting Māori tradition of reciprocal giving. Suggested contributions help maintain our whare and cultural programs. Specific amounts are discussed when booking, based on group size and length of stay.
The Whanganui River can be unpredictable, and weather may affect transport. We'll work with you and operators to ensure safe passage. Sometimes delays are part of the river's rhythm - embrace this as part of your cultural journey.