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March 05, 2026
#regional: Ūawa Community Blesses New Marae Site After Cyclone Gabrielle Devastation
Dale Husband
Posted On March 5, 2026
Download AudioThe community of Ūawa in Tolaga Bay has taken an important step toward healing and rebuilding after Cyclone Gabrielle, gathering for a moving ceremony to dedicate the site where a new marae will rise following the destruction of Puketāwai Marae.
Respected local leader Jock Walker guided whānau and hapū through a powerful karakia and waiata as the whenua was blessed, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the community after the historic marae was irreparably damaged during the devastating storm.
For many in Ūawa, the decision to relocate and rebuild rather than attempt to restore Puketāwai Marae was deeply emotional.
The marae had long served as a cultural and spiritual centre for the community, hosting tangihanga, hui, celebrations and the everyday gatherings that sustain whānau and whakapapa connections. Accepting that it could not be saved required months of difficult conversations among hapū and local leaders.
Cyclone Gabrielle left widespread destruction across Tairāwhiti, with landslides, flooding and debris flows damaging homes, roads and community facilities. Puketāwai Marae was among the many sites severely affected by the storm, and assessments eventually confirmed that rebuilding on the same site was no longer safe or viable.
The decision to establish a new marae site reflects both the scale of the damage and the determination of the community to ensure that future generations continue to have a place to gather, mourn, celebrate and practise tikanga.
For Walker and others involved in the process, the blessing of the new site was not only about construction plans but about reaffirming the cultural foundations of the community.
Across Aotearoa, many marae and rural communities are now confronting similar challenges as extreme weather events place increasing pressure on infrastructure and ancestral sites.
The experience in Ūawa highlights the importance of collective decision-making, patience and open dialogue among whānau and hapū when navigating the difficult realities of climate-related loss.
Community leaders say rebuilding a marae is never simply about constructing a building. It involves protecting whakapapa, preserving tikanga and ensuring that the next generation continues to have a place grounded in identity and belonging.
While early planning for the new marae has begun, the path ahead will require significant effort and support.
Rebuilding projects of this scale often rely on a combination of funding sources, including government recovery programmes, philanthropic contributions, iwi investment and grassroots fundraising within the community itself.
The timeline for construction will depend on design planning, securing resources and ensuring that the new marae reflects both the needs of the community and the lessons learned from recent environmental events.
For communities across Tairāwhiti, the rebuilding of marae also carries a wider significance.
With many roads, homes and essential services in the region still fragile following repeated storms, marae continue to serve as vital hubs for emergency response, community support and cultural connection.
Local leaders say that ensuring marae remain strong and resilient is essential not only for cultural reasons but also for the practical role they play in supporting communities during times of crisis.
As Ūawa begins the long journey toward building its new marae, the blessing of the site stands as a symbol of resilience and determination.
Despite the destruction left by Cyclone Gabrielle, the community’s commitment to rebuild reflects a wider message across Tairāwhiti – that while storms may damage buildings and land, the strength of whānau, hapū and culture remains firmly rooted in the whenua.
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