Photos — Pariroa Pā

Our Wharenui

Taiporohēnui — the big house

Our wharenui, Taiporohēnui — the big house of the pā. She has stood at the heart of Pariroa for generations, her carvings holding the stories of the tūpuna. Quiet in the morning sun or ringing with a full house, she is the face of the pā.

Exterior of the carved wharenui against a blue sky. — Taiporohēnui standing strong under a blue sky.

Taiporohēnui wharenui, the ancestral meeting house of Pariroa Pā — Taiporohēnui

Carved wooden entrance of the Taiporohēnui wharenui. — The carved entrance of Taiporohēnui.

Carved figure on the wharenui roof against a blue sky. — The tekoteko watching over the pā.

Wharenui interior with wooden seating and decorated walls. — Inside the wharenui, ready to welcome manuhiri.

Whānau and manuhiri gathered in front of Taiporohēnui wharenui — Gathered at Taiporohēnui

Smiling faces in front of the wharenui — Whānau together

A large crowd and performers gathered in front of the wharenui — A full house at Taiporohēnui

The carved porch and decorative elements of the wharenui. — The carvings that hold our stories

Putoetoe

Putoetoe — our old dining room

Putoetoe, the servant to the people, fed the pā for generations as our first dining room. You'll know her by her front verandah and the little bell beside it. Done up in recent years, she still stands ready for the whānau.

Smiling whānau at the front of the Putoetoe wharekai. — Whānau out front of Putoetoe

The pere — the bell above the memorial stone beside Putoetoe — Kua tangi te pere — ring the bell

Whānau sharing a laugh on the verandah of Putoetoe. — A laugh on Putoetoe's verandah

The kitchen of the Putoetoe dining room. — Her kitchen

A seating corner inside the Putoetoe dining room. — Corner to sit and share a cup

Te Mataura

Te Mataura — our dining room today

Te Mataura is where the pā eats today — the bigger dining room we use all the time. Tables set, kitchen warm, kai on the way.

Exterior of the Te Mataura dining room building. — Te Mataura, our dining room.

Entrance of the Te Mataura dining room with sign. — The door of Te Mataura.

Bright dining hall interior set for the whānau. — The dining room set for the whānau.

Wharekai kitchen with appliances and a serving counter. — The kitchen, warm and ready

A person setting out equipment in the wharekai. — Setting up for the whānau.

Ngā Tāngata

Our people

The people are the marae. Gathered over kai, singing at Christmas, laughing together, working side by side — every photo here is the reason the place exists.

Whānau gathered for music and kai at the marae. — Music, kai and the pā in full voice.

Laughter in the wharekai during a celebration. — Laughter in the wharekai.

Four whānau graduates in their graduation attire, smiling with pride — Graduation pride — the pā produces leaders

Whānau gathered and smiling outside the marae — Haere mai — welcomed onto the marae

A speaker sharing kōrero at a hui — Kōrero at the hui

Whānau and tamariki together outdoors at the marae — Our tamariki, our future

A group of adults working together on the marae gardens. — Hands of all ages in the māra kai.

Whānau working together in the māra kai — Hands of all ages in the māra kai

Santa and whānau celebrating together at the marae — Christmas at the pā — Santa brings the joy

A crowd of whānau and tamariki gathered for the Christmas celebration at the marae — Christmas at the pā — all together

Tamariki opening their gifts at the marae Christmas celebration — Christmas at the pā — the little ones first

Four graduates in regalia, smiling with pride — Graduation pride — the pā produces leaders

Graduates celebrated together at the marae — Celebrated at the pā

A kapa haka group performing together — Kapa haka — culture in motion

A group performing on stage — Sharing our performance on stage

A large group of whānau gathered for a photo at the marae — The whole pā, one photo

Whānau posing together indoors, all smiles — Whānau together, full of smiles

A large group taking part in a fitness session at the marae — The pā moving together

A plate of colourful sweet treats — Sweet kai to finish

Two men smiling beside the marae sign — Welcome to the pā

Whānau sitting together, sharing a laugh — Shared laughter at the pā

Te Whenua

Te whenua — the land and those before us

The whenua holds the pā: Puke Atua above, the urupā Te Moengaroa, the bell and the memorial stone — and Tūtange Waionui, who founded this place in 1894.

Tūtange Waionui, tūpuna and founder of Pariroa Pā — Our tūpuna, our founder

The wharenui and dining rooms of Pariroa Pā in an early black and white photograph — The pā in the early days — wharenui and dining rooms

Puke Atua, the hill above Pariroa Pā that holds the urupā Te Moengaroa — Puke Atua

A rainbow over Pariroa Pā — A rainbow over the pā

A rainbow arcing over the marae buildings at Pariroa Pā — Another day, another rainbow

The marae complex at Pariroa Pā — The marae at Kakaramea

Whānau working together in the gardens of the marae. — Nurturing the whenua together

Share Your Photos

Have photos of the pā?

If you hold pictures of ngā whānau and the marae across the years, we would love to see them — bring them home.

Send them to the marae