After decades of determination, aroha, and community spirit, Cambridge’s marae stands prouder than ever — its new waharoa unveiled on Matariki morning, welcoming all who walk through its sacred threshold. Senior writer Mary Anne Gill records the occasion with words and photos.
Leamington Primary School kapa haka practised all term for their performance at the opening of the waharoa, from left Nikitah Ngohe, Ella-Grace Leeson, Isla Ball, Jessica Tua, Amber Pukape, Phoenix Te Hau Tanawhea and Meiah Hendry.
Waiting to go through the new waharoa at Cambridge Community Marae, from left Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, founding trustee Kiri Gray, marae chair Tania Simpson and committee member Rowena Maxwell.
Founding trustee Kiri Gray and committee member Rowena Maxwell cut the ribbon to open the new waharoa at Ngā Hau e Whā Marae on Matariki day.
Behind them marae chair Tania Simpson quietly wiped away tears as the gateway to Cambridge Community Marae opened.
It had taken decades. Since 1966, the marae had been built on dreams, determination and aroha, overcoming years of obstacles. Now, at last, it had a waharoa — a symbolic entrance built with the same love, labour, and resilience that shaped the marae itself.
Hato Hone St John Cambridge were at the waharoa opening, from left Jo Pannell, Margaret Vincent, Jim Goddin, Jacob Grylls, Bee Lewis-Jones, Jack Redpath.
Harry Wilson explains the ceremony to the guests at the Cambridge Community Marae Waharoa opening
“Without her we would never have had this and that’s the truth,” Gray said of Simpson’s leadership and perseverance.
The marae has consistently lived up to its name Ngā Hau e Whā – the four winds – a reference to it being a place for everybody. That was obvious during the Covid pandemic when it served as a vaccination centre.
Simpson hopes the focus can now shift.
“I really hope that people can now talk about the waharoa and the structure. There’s been so much work gone into this. It’s a very emotional day,” she said.
Ngā Hau e Whā Marae founding trustee Kiri Gray.
Dianne Raumati calls guests to move forward to the marae’s new waharoa. Through the entranceway over a new concrete path is Te Puawaitanga wharenui.
The community was warmly invited, and more than 250 people responded.
Among those who attended were Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, Māori ward councillor Dale-Maree Morgan and councillors Philip Coles, Mike Pettit and Clare St Pierre.
Funders, supporters, neighbours, committee members and Leamington Primary School kapa haka group also joined the 9.30am ceremony.
Rowena Maxwell points to the plaque marking the waharoa’s opening watched by, from left, at rear Dianne Raumati, marae chair Tania Simpson and founding trustee Kiri Gray.
Dianne Raumati calls guests to move forward to the marae’s new waharoa. Through the entranceway over a new concrete path is Te Puawaitanga wharenui.
But for the marae whānau, the day began much earlier — just after 5am, when they lit the fire for the hāngī. By 7am, broken iron railway sleepers were in place, ready to support two large baskets of food.
The hāngī included one pig, three sheep, 25 chickens, 20kgs potatoes, 10kgs kūmara, six pumpkins and stuffing, all carefully placed in two baskets lined with cabbage leaves and wrapped in sacks.
Representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Utah were at the ceremony, from left Elder Brimley and Elder Ugaese.
Harry Wilson welcomes guests and Leamington Primary School kaka haka group to the wharenui.
Leamington Primary School kapa haka practised all term for their performance at the opening of the waharoa at Cambridge Community Marae.
Marae trustee Bert Tuhi, a qualified butcher who once ran a hāngī business in South Africa, oversaw the preparation. He returned to Cambridge four years ago after 33 years in Durban, where he married Wendy Lynne and raised a daughter.
Often mistaken for a Boer or Afrikaner due to his height and colouring, Tuhi admitted he barely slept the night before due to nerves.
He need not have worried — the food was perfectly cooked, and no one went hungry after it was served just before midday – a testament to the care and preparation which went into the feast.
In her speech, O’Regan said the opening represented an opening of arms, a welcoming embrace and a powerful symbol of unity and belonging.
“(It is) a spiritual threshold – the place where we leave behind the everyday world and step into the sacred space of the marae.”
Leyton Neels of A Class Pools usually lays concrete for swimming pools but instead did the path between the waharoa and the wharenui.
The men responsible for the hāngī, from left Jacob, Paho and Te Moana nui a Kiwa ‘Mo’ Maxwell, Bert Tuhi, Jono Kara and Shane Tuhi.
Ngā Hau e Whā is centrally positioned with the rohe of Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā and Ngāti Wairere though it is not an iwi marae.
“This marae stands proudly supported by mana whenua and embraced by the wider community,” said O’Regan.
“It is a taonga – a treasure – for our community and our future generations.”
Paho Maxwell and Shane Tuhi uncover the hāngī.
Teamwork in the kitchen dishing up the hāngī for the 250 guests in the wharekai.
Construction of the marae began in 1995 with the wharekai (dining room) five years after the first sod was turned on the corner of Pope Terrace and Bracken Street in Leamington.
A Te Kōhanga Reo building occupied space from 1991.
The wharenui – a transportable building – arrived in 2003 and the last significant work finished in 2008.
Simpson told The News there was more to do and this was shown by the aspirations’ board guests contributed to with suggestions for the future on sticky notes.
The marae’s journey continues — grounded in history, guided by community, and open to all who come through the waharoa.
Cambridge Community Marae chair Tania Simpson chats to Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan after the hāngī lunch.
The sun breaks through the fog and mist at the Cambridge Community Marae Waharoa opening
Cambridge Community Marae Waharoa opening, from left, Rowena Maxwell, marae chair Tania Simpson, Kiri Gray, Dale-Maree Morgan, and mayor Susan O’Regan with son Jack Hayward alongside her.
Waiting to go in, from left Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, emotional marae committee chair Tania Simpson, Kiri Gray and Rowena Maxwell.
