Te Māhurehure Cultural Society Marae

What Te Māhurehure Cultural Society Marae does

Te Māhurehure Cultural Society Marae is a private nonprofit charitable society, founded in 1969 in Point Chevalier, Auckland, to serve as a cultural home for Te Māhurehure and Ngāpuhi whānau living away from their ancestral Hokianga region. Headquartered at 65/73 Premier Avenue, Point Chevalier (with a secondary address at Onewhero), the organisation has evolved from a community rugby club into a multi-vertical Māori cultural and community infrastructure platform. It operates three distinct bookable venues — Te Māhurehure Cultural Centre (capacity up to 300), the award-winning Taumata o Kupe Whare Wānanga (capacity up to 250 theatre-style, 150 overnight), and the Kapene Alan King Studio — supported by two catering menus (Classic Marae at $20-$48pp and Taumata o Kupe Modern Māori at $80pp) and overnight noho accommodation at $20-$25 per person.

The marae's underlying technology and physical assets are substantial for a community-based nonprofit. Taumata o Kupe, designed by TOA Architects and opened in November 2022, is a 600 sqm two-level indigenous learning centre incorporating state-of-the-art digital screens, modular seating, high-end Wi-Fi, accessibility features (ramps, lifts), commercial-grade kitchens capable of catering for up to 300, and culturally-specific design honouring the legacy of Kupe and celestial navigation. The facility has won the John Scott Award for Public Architecture (2024) and was shortlisted at the World Architecture Festival 2024 in Singapore, with notable visits including a Chinese Deputy Minister of Cultural and Tourism.

The organisation generates revenue through five streams: commercial venue hire (one-time licence model, $500-$3,000 per day), catering services (per-person pricing $20-$80), overnight accommodation ($20-$25 per person), government-funded social services (Ministry of Social Development driver licensing programmes, Oranga Tamariki partnerships via Kirimangu), and certified Community Housing Provider (CHP) social housing and papakāinga development through wholly-owned subsidiary Te Kāinga Atawhai. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the marae website, segmented email enquiries, Facebook, and iwi/community referral networks. The marae serves a diverse client mix spanning the Ngāpuhi community, corporates (Port of Auckland), tertiary institutions (AUT, University of Waikato), sports organisations (NZ Cricket, ANZMRL), and government agencies, supported by governance led by Chair Christine Panapa MNZM, Chief Executive Tracey Panapa, and Manager of Operations Sonya Panapa, with an 11-50 employee base.

Name

Te Māhurehure Cultural Society Marae

Legal name

Te Māhurehure Cultural Society Marae

Website

https://temahurehure.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Te Māhurehure Cultural Society Marae is a 1969-founded Auckland-based Māori marae operating three bookable venues (Cultural Centre, Taumata o Kupe, Kapene Alan King Studio), in-house catering, social services (Kirimangu), social housing (Te Kāinga Atawhai), and youth rugby (Hokianga Storm) for the Ngāpuhi community and external corporate, education, sports, and government clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marae Venue Hire and Cultural Community Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Purpose Event Halls & Community Centers (THAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural & Community-Based Lodges (Indigenous/Local Conservancies) (THAGAIAL), Mixed-Use Community Association Management (BPAJAHAF)

Keywords

• Marae venue hire
• Māori cultural services
• Event catering services
• Social housing solutions
• Community venue rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Onewhero

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Venue Hire: Revenue from hiring out multiple venues including Te Māhurehure Cultural Centre, Taumata o Kupe, and Kapene Alan King Studio for events, conferences, weddings, noho (overnight stays), and cultural gatherings.
2. Catering Services: In-house catering staff provide bespoke menus with authentic Māori and New Zealand cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner events. Menu options include traditional Māori fare like hāngī as well as modern cuisine.
3. Overnight Accommodation (Noho): Charges for overnight stays at the marae with communal sleeping on single mattresses, including freshly laundered mattresses and linen. Pricing varies by group size.
4. Social Services Funding: Government funding for social services programmes including Oranga Tamariki rangatahi programmes, Ministry of Social Development partnerships for driver licensing, and other wrap-around whānau support services.
5. Social Housing (Te Kāinga Atawhai): Revenue as a certified Community Housing Provider (CHP) providing social housing solutions and papakāinga housing development services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Te Māhurehure Cultural Society Marae operates a multi-venue cultural and community complex in Point Chevalier, Auckland, providing bookable event venues (Te Māhurehure Cultural Centre, Taumata o Kupe whare wānanga, Kapene Alan King Studio), in-house catering, overnight marae accommodation (noho), social services (Kirimangu), certified community housing (Te Kāinga Atawhai), and youth rugby league (Hokianga Storm) for whānau, corporates, schools and community groups.

Product overview

Te Māhurehure Cultural Society Marae operates a multi-venue cultural and community complex in Point Chevalier, Auckland. The core offering comprises three bookable venues: Te Māhurehure Cultural Centre (main marae for up to 300 people), Taumata o Kupe (award-winning indigenous learning centre for up to 250 people), and the Kapene Alan King Studio (meeting/workshop space). Supporting services include catering under two menus (classic marae-style and modern Taumata o Kupe cuisine), social services through Kirimangu division, social housing via Te Kāinga Atawhai (certified CHP), and Hokianga Storm Rugby League youth sports programme. The organisation serves as a cultural hub for Ngāpuhi and wider community, hosting conferences, wānanga, noho stays, weddings, and community events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Te Kāinga Atawhai: Certified Community Housing Provider (CHP) offering social housing and Papakāinga development services for Māori families.
• Kirimangu
• Taumata o Kupe
• Hokianga Storm

Products and services

• Te Māhurehure Cultural Centre Multi-purpose marae venue hosting cultural events, whānau gatherings, community hui, business functions and party hire for up to 300 people, with main hall, large stage, commercial kitchens, serving area, full bathroom and shower amenities and outdoor deck area.
• Taumata o Kupe An acclaimed Whare Wānanga (Place of learning) measuring 600 square metres over two levels. An award-winning architectural masterpiece serving as a multi-purpose venue for community, corporates and Māori organisations to hire. Capacity: 100 seated dining or 250 theatre style people (max), sleeps 50 people. Shortlisted at World Architecture Festival 2024.
• Kapene Alan King Studio A studio, meeting room or workshop space named after beloved whānau member Kapene Alan King. Features open work area set up in boardroom style, fully equipped studio kitchen for tea and coffee, and modern electrical and Wi-Fi connectivity. Available for private, public and professional bookings at $100 booking fee.
• Kirimangu Social Services The health and social services division of Te Māhurehure Marae. Delivers mana-enhancing, dignified social services by whānau for whānau. Holds Level 2 Social Sector Accreditation Standard with Te Kāhui Kāhu. Programs include Ngakau Atawhai (rangatahi preventative programme), Drivers Licence Programme, Wānanga Rangatahi Programme, Ngā Oho Ake (student support), Kai Boxes, Wrap-around Whānau support, Business Mentoring Course, and Whanau Ora services.
• Te Kāinga Atawhai Social Housing Certified Community Housing Provider (CHP) offering well-managed and serviced housing solutions with specialism in Papakāinga. Provides Papakāinga & Social Housing, Community Spaces, Building Management, and Property Management & Letting services to support families and communities in need with culturally-grounded solutions.
• Hokianga Storm Rugby League Māori Rugby League teams operating at Tamariki, Teina & Rangatahi ages. ANZMRL affiliated with teams for ages U10 through 19, empowering sporting talents of rangatahi and representing whānau and hapū proudly.
• Te Māhurehure Marae Catering (Classic Menu) Classic Marae menu catering for breakfast, hot lunch, afternoon tea, and hot dinner. Includes options for continental and buffet breakfast ($20-32pp), hot lunch ($38-48pp), afternoon tea ($30-45pp), hot dinner ($48pp), and traditional Hāngī. Also offers vegetarian options.
• Taumata o Kupe Catering (Modern Māori Cuisine) Modern Māori cuisine set menu at $80 per person including three courses (platters/starters, main with seasonal vegetables, dessert). Features Teriyaki Salmon, Slow-cooked Lamb Shanks, Braised beef, Cajun Chicken, and Pork Belly options.
• Overnight Marae Accommodation (Noho) Charges for overnight stays at the marae with communal sleeping on single mattresses, including freshly laundered mattresses and linen. Pricing varies by group size (1-50 guests $25 per person; 51-150 guests $20 per person). Bond of $300 required for bookings over two nights.

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AUT Te Ipukarea Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUT's Te Ipukarea Research Institute conducted a writing wānanga at Taumata o Kupe for a four-night noho, engaging in indigenous knowledge research and sharing at the facility.
• Waikato University (Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Waikato's Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies held the Nga Tohu o Te Taiao Symposium 2024 at Taumata o Kupe with 120 attendees, featuring keynote speakers including Professor Rangi Mātāmua.
• Ministry of Social DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Ministry of Social Development for driver licensing programmes supporting rangatahi to obtain learners, restricted and full drivers licences, including cost barrier removal.
• Oranga TamarikicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTe Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi kaimahi working at the marae in the Oranga Tamariki space. The organisation supports the 816 Ngāpuhi babies in care, with 70% in Tāmaki Makaurau.
• Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Rugby League (ANZMRL)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTe Māhurehure Marae is a proud sponsor of ANZMRL. The organisation hosted the 2025 uniform launch event with over 100 attendees including league legends.
• Te Kāhui KāhucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccrediting body for social services. Te Māhurehure holds Level 2 Social Sector Accreditation Standard with Te Kāhui Kāhu.
• TOA ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm that designed Taumata o Kupe, creating the award-winning whare wānanga. The firm worked closely with Te Māhurehure on the master plan and design.
• Whariki Māori Business NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMāori business network holds working sessions at Taumata o Kupe. Relationship supported by Eynon Delamere who has always supported the marae.
• NZ Institute of ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional architecture body that awarded Taumata o Kupe the John Scott Award for Public Architecture. NZIA hosted an architecture tour of the facility.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA): National body representing Community Housing Providers including Te Kāinga Atawhai. Comparable on the social-housing funding and regulatory side, given Te Māhurehure operates a CHP subsidiary.
• Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research (Marae-based research): Crown research institute engaging with marae for indigenous research and wānanga. Comparable as a partner using Taumata o Kupe for multi-day wānanga and as an adjacent ecosystem participant in the Māori research economy.

Broad incumbents

• Ngāi Tahu Tourism (Hikoi, Tamaki Maori Village): Commercial arm of Ngāi Tahu operating cultural tourism experiences, venue-based events and Māori cuisine offerings. Comparable business model combining cultural authenticity with venue hire and catering at scale.
• Auckland War Memorial Museum: Large Auckland cultural institution operating venue hire, exhibitions and education programmes. Comparable as a Māori-culturally engaged venue in Tāmaki Makaurau competing for the same corporate, education and tourism bookings.
• Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: National museum in Wellington delivering venue hire, education programmes and cultural interpretation at scale. Comparable as a flagship cultural institution offering event hosting and curated Māori cultural experiences.

Emerging players

• Whariki Māori Business Network: Māori business network hosting working sessions and convenings at marae-style venues. Comparable as a partner/tenant using Taumata o Kupe and as an adjacent Māori enterprise community.

Regional players

• Te Matatini (National Kapa Haka Festival): National Māori performing arts organisation hosting large-scale events across regions. Comparable as a Māori cultural events operator working with marae and iwi to deliver festival-scale venue hire and community programming.

Direct peers

• Tūrangawaewae Marae: Major Waikato-Tainui marae in Ngāruawāhia operating as a multi-purpose cultural venue with event hire, tourism and marae-based services. Directly comparable as a large urban-regional marae offering venue hire and cultural experiences to community, corporate and education segments.
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds: Culturally significant heritage site in the Bay of Islands operating venue hire, guided experiences and cultural education. Directly comparable as a North Island Māori cultural venue monetising heritage and hosting corporate and education groups.
• Orakei Marae: Auckland-based Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei marae delivering venue hire, social services and cultural programmes in an urban setting. Closest geographic peer and most directly comparable operating model for Te Māhurehure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/temahurehuremarae.tracey

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Te Māhurehure Cultural Society Marae