Whangamata Community Marae Committee

Beginning in the early 1970's, a marae committee was formed with the vision to build a marae facility for the community of Whangamata. At this early stage the founding members’ objective was to raise funds to purchase land and then build a marae facility.

The marae committee received two offers of land donated for this purpose. The initial donation of land was found to be unsuitable due to it being a Māori burial site, which was discovered during the later stages of the land being gifted. As this is not in line with Māori protocol the land could not be accepted.

A second lot of land was offered for the same purpose at Widdison Place in Whangamata. However due to opposition through the Resource Management Act the land gifted could not be utilized.

Since this time many of the founding members have passed but the marae committee has remained intact. New members have come and gone in continuing the
efforts of the early founding members, however, little progress has been made in the acquisition of land for the building of a marae facility.

In 2012 the Whangamata Community Marae Committee (WCMC) reformed in its membership and vision to establish a marae facility for all residents within the Whangamata area. Efforts have begun with raising general awareness in the community, local fundraising and promoting the need for increased membership and funding.