March 04, 2026

#regional: Ūawa Community Blesses Site of New Marae After Cyclone Devastation

Dale Husband Posted On March 4, 2026

“Karakia and waiata echoed across Ūawa as whānau, hapū and community members gathered to bless the whenua where a new marae will rise – a powerful step forward in the long recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle.”

The blessing marked the beginning of a rebuild to replace Puketāwai Marae, which was damaged beyond repair during the catastrophic weather event that struck Tairāwhiti in 2023. The cyclone left widespread destruction across the East Coast, with homes, infrastructure and community hubs inundated by floodwaters and silt.

For Ūawa, the loss of Puketāwai Marae was deeply felt. Marae are not simply buildings; they are anchors of identity, culture and connection. They serve as places of gathering, mourning, celebration, debate and decision-making – and in times of crisis, they are centres of refuge and coordination.

The recent blessing ceremony signalled both remembrance and renewal. Elders led karakia acknowledging those who had carried the community through the immediate aftermath of the cyclone, while waiata affirmed resilience and collective determination to rebuild.

Community leaders say the new marae will be designed with the future in mind – incorporating lessons learned from the storm, including stronger resilience to extreme weather events. Climate change has intensified rainfall patterns across Te Tairāwhiti, placing added pressure on already vulnerable infrastructure.

The rebuild is also seen as an opportunity to reaffirm tikanga and strengthen intergenerational ties. Rangatahi were present at the blessing, standing alongside kaumātua, symbolising continuity and hope.

Cyclone Gabrielle caused billions of dollars in damage nationwide and reshaped conversations about infrastructure resilience, emergency preparedness and land use across the motu. In Ūawa, the rebuilding of a marae is more than a construction project – it is a statement of cultural endurance.

As planning progresses, the community remains focused on ensuring the new marae stands not only as a replacement for what was lost, but as a strengthened foundation for generations to come.