Whareponga

Whareponga is a bay and rural community in the Gisborne District of New Zealand's North Island. It is located north of Waipiro Bay, and is the mouth of Whareponga Stream and Wharekaka Stream.[1]

The area has a rugged landscape,[2] featuring green bush-covered hills and exposed cliffs.[3]

The local Ngāti Porou hapū of Te Aitanga a Mate takes its name from a common ancestor, Materoa.[3] The Whareponga Marae, also affiliated with the Ngāi Tangihaere hapū,[4] includes a meeting house named after Materoa.[5][6]

Since the 19th century, most of the hapū has migrated to larger centres. New homes were built for returning families in 2017, with funding from Te Puni Kōkiri.[3]

In October 2020, the Government committed $5,756,639 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade the Whareponga Marae and 28 other Ngāti Porou marae. The funding was expected to create 205 jobs.[7]

  1. ^ Hariss, Gavin. "Whareponga Bay, Gisborne". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
  2. ^ "Ngā Maunga" (PDF). Gisborne Herald. Te Ao Maori i Te Tairawhiti.
  3. ^ a b c "Whareponga Papakāinga - The Legacy of Materoa". tpk.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri. 20 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  5. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  6. ^ "Whareponga Marae". ngatiporou.com. Ngāti Porou.
  7. ^ "Marae Announcements" (Excel). growregions.govt.nz. Provincial Growth Fund. 9 October 2020.