About Te Rau Aroha Marae, Bluff

About Te Rau Aroha Marae, Bluff.
8 Bradshaw Street, Bluff.

Te Rau Aroha Marae is the world’s southern-most marae. Located in the small town of Bluff, the marae was originally established in the late 1800s as a hostel for local Māori who lived on islands off the Southland coast.
The marae proper was developed in 1985, but the tupuna whare, Tahu-pōtiki, which takes its name from the ancestor (tupuna) of the local tribe, Ngāi Tahu, was opened in February 2003.
Designed by prominent Māori artist, heritage advocate and teacher Cliff Whiting, the wharenui is strikingly contemporary and features the bold colours and rich carvings familiar in Dr Whiting’s work.
While the whare’s rounded, octagonal shape is based on whare-rau – leaf covered dwellings utilised by Māori in pre-European times – the building’s whakairo (carving, artwork) are modern in style.
Another point of difference from many marae is that female, rather than male, ancestors feature inside the whare. This acknowledges the resilience of a people who survived the threat of invasion from the North and an influx of whalers, sealers and settlers from all parts of the world.
Most of the Ngāi Tahu families in Bluff and Southland trace their genealogy from at least one or more of these tupuna wāhine (female ancestors).
Note: Central to Māori culture and community activities, marae are dedicated buildings representing the genealogy and stories of local iwi or people. Marae provide a meeting place for Māori communities for celebrations, bereavements, learning forums (wānanga) and meetings (hui).

To find out more about Māori culture, history and heritage see www.tpk.govt.nz or www.teara.govt.nz/en/maori-new-zealander