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]