New Wharekai Within Reach for Opape Marae

After years of planning, fundraising andconstruction, Opape Marae is on the verge of reopening a new wharekai (dininghall and kitchen) that will be an immense source of pride for a small coastalcommunity in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Located on the eastern edge of Te Whakatōhearohe, Opape Marae is the cultural, social and operational heart of NgāiTamahaua, supporting whānau through life’s defining moments and serving as atrusted community hub and centre of resilience.

Well utilised by hapu, iwi and the wider Ōpōtikicommunity, Opape Marae has hosted generations of gatherings, both large andsmall. The previous wharekai  “Tapairu” wasbuilt in the 1980s and was no longer fit for purpose so marae trustees decidedto rebuild, with construction beginning in June 2025.

The new $3.5m wharekai has been madepossible through significant investment from Oranga Marae (Department ofInternal Affairs), alongside contributions from BayTrust, Trust Horizon,Aotearoa Gaming Trust and the Opape Marae community.

Opape Marae Project Manager Marsh Mooresays BayTrust’s $201,021 grant has played a crucial role in bringing theproject to its final stages. The grant, which is conditional on the maraesecuring the remaining funds to complete the building, will be used to install thesuspended ceilings, commercial HVAC cooking hoods, and kitchen cabinetryrequired for compliance, certification and operational use.

“While the new wharekai structure issubstantially complete, it cannot be used or certified without the remaininginternal components,” Marsh explains. “Without completion funding, asignificant community asset remains unusable. So it’s really crucial to thesuccess of our project that we have secured this BayTrust grant.”

Designed for the Future

While the new wharekai maintains a similardining capacity of around 250 to 300 people, the overall footprint has beenexpanded to improve functionality.

“We’ve increased the size to create betterflow in the kitchen, allow for table and chair storage, include a dedicatedlaundry and improve our toilet facilities. Our vision is for Opape Marae to beresilient, sustainable and fit-for-purpose, supporting current and futuregenerations.”

Sustainability and energy-efficient design havebeen key considerations. Insulation has been improved, durable materials used, anda modern commercial kitchen installed to reduce energy use, waste and long-termmaintenance.

The upgrade will strengthen communitywellbeing and cultural connection. Once complete, the wharekai will restorefull marae functionality for hui, tangihanga, wānanga, and community events,while also enabling the marae to operate as a reliable civil defence andemergency community hub, providing a safe, resilient space for whānau duringtimes of need.

“We’ve designed the building with generatorconnections and we’re currently investigating solar so we can work off-grid ifwe need to,” Marsh explains. “Marae play so many roles in our community. Becauseof our coastal location, it’s really appealing to school groups. They can walkstraight down to the sandy beach, explore rock pools, or go fishing and diving.”

With 85% of iwi members living outside therohe, Opape Marae also remains a vital point of connection for whānau returninghome.

“The one place our whānau always have toreturn home to is their marae. It’s great to upgrade our facilities but it’seven better when you see your marae being used. That’s the exciting part.”

Built by Whānau, for Whānau

A strong focus on supporting local businessesand trades has been central to the project, with the majority of contractorsand workers drawn from the Whakatohea and Ōpōtiki community, gaining valuableskills and experience along the way.

“We’ve got really good tradies locally andwe need to support our local economy. The majority of the workers whakapapa to Whakatoheaso they’ve got a vested interest. It’s a way of supporting whanau andsupporting our future. A lot of the work on site is done by our rangatahi andthe quality of workmanship is second to none.”

As the project nears completion, that senseof anticipation is building. “It’s been a long time coming,” he says. “You cansee the excitement growing among whānau, and the feedback has been amazing.”

For Moore, the completion of the project inmid to late-2026 represents more than just a new building.

“It’s very significant for our whanau andcommunity. When we reopen our wharekai and marae, it will be special. Our wharekaiwill serve our whānau, hapū and community for generations to come.”

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