Waitangi Day 2021 - Celebrate Pukaha's New Whare Whakairo

Pūkaha extends a warm welcome to the community to visit on Waitangi Weekend and see their new whare whakairo (carving workshop) ‘Rere Te Maramara’ that has just opened.

Whānau and tamariki who visit will be able observe whakairo (carvers) and talk to them about their work. The whare will be open to the public throughout Waitangi Weekend 6th – 8th February from 9am – 5pm across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

At all other times it will be open for public view six days a week, 9am – 5pm from Monday - Saturday.

It is one of the first publicly visible developments of Pūkaha’s Environment and Ecology Education programme that includes the build of a learning centre, wharenui, accommodation and nocturnal boardwalk.

The whare whakairo employs local carvers to produce traditional carvings for the wharenui as well as carvings that represent important gods and ancestors that will soon appear throughout the reserve.

The opening has been welcomed by the centre’s General Manager, Emily Court who said the development was important for the wildlife centre and long overdue. “The carving team is already making such a difference to the Pūkaha experience – for staff, volunteers and visitors alike. We are learning so much and gaining more of an understanding of how significant this place is to local Maori. We are all on quite a journey of discovery. I really encourage locals to come and experience it for themselves”.

Access to view the whare whakairo during opening hours is free. Additional entry pricing into the Pūkaha wildlife reserve can be found on the website.