as Manahau meeting house opened
At 4.30am on Saturday, November 26 history was made with the dawn opening ceremony of the Manahau meeting house at Wharerangi Marae.
This has long been a dream of the people of that marae and all their hard efforts came to fruition with the celebrations held at the official opening.
The dawn ceremony was carried out by a kāhui tohunga comprised of local practitioners and also those of the Te Pōkaitara academy. The incantations rang out one after the other as the hundreds of visitors advanced on to the marae to witness the ancient ceremony.
The karakia lasted close to 30 minutes. Once the traditional Māori ceremony was completed in the house, the Ringatū church undertook a special service. The Ringatū faith was invited given the history between the church and Wharerangi Marae.
Link to article: Moving moments at Hawke’s Bay marae as Manahau meeting house opened - NZ Herald
