Mana Marae
A Celebration of Resilience
to Cyclone Gabrielle
This page explores the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 on Marae and explores how marae may again be at the centre of vibrant kāinga.
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded the community of the importance of marae as community hubs, especially in rural areas. That reminder was dramatically reinforced with the arrival on these shores of Cyclone Gabrielle. She is the most devastating weather event in living memory, eclipsing the impact of Cyclone Bola.
These environmental challenges coincide with the return of people to their kāinga. The urban drift of the second half of the twentieth century has reached full tide and is now receding. Another trend is the increasing availability of remote work enabling those with the skills to work from home. This confluence presents the opportunity not only to further equip marae for emergency preparedness, but also to rebuild local economies around the marae and to revitalise our rural communities.
Image: Flooding of Naumai Marae, north of Ruawai during Cyclone Gabrielle. Credit Kelly Retimana.
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Marae Futures
What might the future of our
Marae look like?
Marae Emergency Preparedness and Response
These videos feature Te Tai Tokerau marae and their response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Learning from civil emergencies and enhancing preparedness
In 2023, Post Cyclone Gabrielle, the Te Kahu o Taonui engagement team met with whānau from a number of marae In Te Tai Tokerau, to understand what some of the learnings were. Here are some resources developed by the team.
Marae Futures
The COVID-19 pandemic and Cyclone Gabrielle has helped to highlight the value of marae to the wider community. With more whānau returning home from cities and other urban areas, greater opportunities in remote professional mahi, careers for nature, and diversifying primary production, we can revitalise our rural communities.
Marae of Te Tai Tokerau
Te Tai Tokerau has over 180 marae. Check out Māori Maps, and the Te Puni Kōkiri site that has GIS maps and more information about each marae.
