Te Kupenga o te Matauranga Marae
The Beginning
In 1974 a hui was held at Palmerston North College of Education. The visiting speakers were Charlie Maitai, John Rangihau, Jim Grey, Tom Whittaker, Polly Duncan and Whetu Karaitiana; the Education Department from Wellington, Te Karauna and Huia Whakamoe. Charlie Maitai initiated a discussion on the possibility of a campus Meeting House.
He then issued a challenge to the Principal at the time, by laying down the first donation towards the building of a Meeting House here on campus. Mr Whitwell (Principal) accepted the challenge and after many meetings, the present site was chosen as the most suitable.
The Meeting House at Atene (up the Wanganui river) was chosen as a model for Te Kupenga o Te Matauranga. The Meeting House was financed through funds from the Students' Association and the Principal's account.
The Meeting House was started and completed in 1979. All the carving, kowhaiwhai, painting and kakaho panels were done by College personnel under the leadership and direction of Cliff Whiting. The interior embellishments are to be completed by future generations of students.
Te Haonui
Te Haonui was started in November 1989 and completed in June 1990.
"Te Haonui" means "The Great Catch". It signifies the coming together of young people with one goal in common - education and knowledge. Te Haonui has five lecture rooms, two of which can be used as a dining room large enough to seat 200 people. It also has a modern kitchen which is well used. Te Haonui was opened in June 1990.
Administration
Te Kupenga o Te Matauranga is the property of Massey University. The day to day running of our Marae is carried out by Te Uru Maraurau, School of Maori and Multicultural Education.
Function
The Marae is the main focus for some Massey University College of Education courses and students are given the opportunity to study Tikanga Marae and put this knowledge into practice on a regular basis. The Marae can be booked by other organisations for hui and birthday celebrations etc., and it is quite common to have University commitments and community hui happening at the same time without one encroaching on the other.
Flickr slideshow
History of the Albany campus
Massey University Calendar
