Te Wharewaka o Mareikura – Waka storage facility

Te Wharewaka o Mareikura – Waka storage facility

Identified as early wins in the Tairāwhiti Sports Facilities Business Case, Te Wharewaka o Mareikura is the purpose-built home for waka belonging to the Mareikura Waka Ama Club. Located at Anzac Park, the facility protects the club’s waka and creates a central place for paddlers and whānau to gather.

Mareikura are Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest waka ama club, established in 1985. Today, more than 470 members, whānau and community members benefit from the sport and the strong sense of connection it fosters. The wharewaka was officially opened as the club marked its 40th year of establishment.

Building for safety and resilience

For decades, the club stored its waka outdoors, leaving them exposed to the elements. A permanent, secure facility was essential to house the club’s fleet, support the sport’s rapid growth and provide a place where tamariki, rangatahi and whānau could connect.

After Cyclone Gabrielle, the project was redesigned and moved to an elevated site to ensure long-term resilience.

“This is more than a storage facility. It’s an investment in our future.”

— Joelene Takai, Mareikura Waka Ama Club member

A legacy of dedication

This milestone reflects years of dedication from Mareikura members who have advocated for a safe and sustainable space to house their waka and equipment.

“We knew Mareikura had long dreamed of a permanent home. Supporting that vision, especially as the club celebrated its 40th anniversary, has been a privilege for the Trust.”
– Trust Tairāwhiti chief executive, Doug Jones.