Kirikiriroa Marae

Kirikiriroa Marae

Kirikiriroa Marae is an urban marae in Hamilton East, Hamilton, in the Waikato. It functions both as a living cultural and community base and as a venue where designated buildings are available for hire by outside groups.

### History

The marae was established in 1984, with land set aside as a Marae Reservation under Te Ture Whenua Maaori legislation and the Maori Reservations Regulations 1963. It was opened on 1 December 1984 by the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. Koro Wetere. Tohunga whakairo Wikuki Te Uranga o Te Ra Kingi, with his wife Evelyn "Tuss" Kirikowhai Kingi, was instrumental in the building of the whare tupuna. The marae incorporates Te Kohao Health, and a number of organisations work on site delivering community programmes and services.

### Spaces available for hire

Four spaces are listed for hire:

• Te Kohao o Te Ngira, the whare tupuna, accommodating up to 80 people
• Kiritahi, the whare kai, with kitchen facilities including a hangi pit, catering for up to 300 people
• Te Kuhuna, multiple learning spaces and associated facilities, accommodating 30 to 40 people
• Te Pae Kitenga, a smaller building for up to 20 people

That range covers everything from a small board-sized meeting through to a substantial seated function, and the combination of a large dining and catering space with separate meeting and learning rooms gives the site genuine plenary-plus-breakout capability.

### Catering and event capability

The whare kai and its kitchen, including the hangi pit, mean the marae can host catered functions on site rather than relying entirely on external suppliers. The marae hosts hui, tangihanga and weddings alongside its ongoing community and health services. Published detail on audio-visual equipment, parking and accessibility is limited, so organisers should raise those requirements directly when enquiring.

### Suitability and protocol

Kirikiriroa Marae suits hui, wananga, training and learning programmes, cultural events, conferences seeking a genuinely Waikato setting, and functions where manaakitanga and on-site catering matter. Hirers should expect to observe marae tikanga and kawa, including powhiri or whakatau where appropriate, and should discuss these arrangements with the marae as part of the booking process rather than treating the site as a conventional commercial venue. For other options in the region, see Waikato venues.