Ngāti Te Whiti is set to establish the first city marae in New Plymouth in more than 150 years after the Government committed up to $8.6 million towards the landmark Ngāmotu Marae development.
The funding, announced by Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka, comes from the Regional Infrastructure Fund and will help deliver a long-held aspiration for the mana whenua of Ngāmotu.
The new marae will be built at Moturoa, near the city’s waterfront and popular coastal walkway, creating a permanent cultural home for Ngāti Te Whiti while providing a welcoming space for the wider community to gather for hui, education, cultural events and community activities.
For generations, Ngāti Te Whiti has sought to establish a marae within the city, with proposals dating back to the early 1900s. Despite being the tangata whenua of New Plymouth, the hapū has not had a central marae in the city for more than 150 years.
The project will include the construction of a wharenui, wharekai, community meeting spaces, administration facilities and supporting infrastructure, including landscaping, parking, power, water and access works. The marae has also been designed to serve as an emergency response hub, capable of providing shelter, food and essential services during natural disasters or other emergencies.
The total project is valued at approximately $17.8 million, with the remaining funding coming from Ngāti Te Whiti, local government, Toi Foundation and community supporters. Construction is expected to create around 46 jobs while also generating long-term economic opportunities through cultural tourism, events and local enterprise.
Beyond its physical buildings, Ngāmotu Marae is expected to become an important cultural anchor for Taranaki, strengthening the visibility of te ao Māori in the heart of New Plymouth while providing a place where whakapapa, mātauranga Māori and tikanga can be shared across generations.
The project reflects a vision of creating a marae that belongs not only to Ngāti Te Whiti but also serves as a place of manaakitanga for the wider community, fostering understanding, connection and resilience for future generations.
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