Maniaiti Marae or Wallace Pā is a marae in Ngapuke, situated roughly 6 km south-east from the township of Taumarunui, located in the central North Island of New Zealand.
Contents
Ancestry
Members of the marae are mostly the descendants of Nehuora and Te Wakatahurangi Te Warahi (née Chadwick), the latter being better known as "Nanny Maraea". Nanny Maraea was a staunch and well-respected matriarch, and was responsible for much of the marae's development. Nehuora was also greatly respected and performed the duty of delivering the family's children. It is thought he may have delivered over a hundred children during his lifetime, possibly many more as it was not restricted to just his family.
The marae is called Wallace Pā, as "Warahi" was transliterated to "Wallace" during the time when Māori people were being encouraged to take European names. Now though many descendants have reverted to Warahi, and many family or whānau have other names – among them Chadwick, Roderick, and Te Wano.
Tribal affiliation
The iwi (tribe) most affiliated with the marae is Ngāti Tuwharetoa, although Ngāti Kahungunu (the tribe of Nanny Maraea) are also closely associated. Most descendants associate with both iwi.
Through Ngāti Tuwharetoa, the whānau claim Ngāti Manunui as their hapū (subtribe), and Taupo-nui-a-Tia as their moana (lake). It is important in Māori culture to be able to show where lineage and rohe (area of origin) are located. An example is shown below of a common Ngāti Tuwharetoa mihi or statement reflecting this:
Environment
The region of Ngapuke is a rural forestry area. The Pungapunga River runs to the back of the marae and is used for swimming and catching eel (in hinaki/net catchments).
Future
The future of Wallace Pā is now a certainty with first stage of allocated funding received from the Tuwharetoa Trust for the construction of a new ablution block (and other chosen Maraes' in the area being given the same) situated at the back of where the house stood. The new ablution block includes showers and washing facilities – it is lovely and shines as a beacon of its red roof and yellow sides. This building is now complete and ready being blessed December 2012. Currently in hand, a formal application has been lodged by the Marae Committee for funding of the next phase in building to complete the Marae.
On the opposite side of the Marae, family members still live, with many residing in all corners of New Zealand including neighboring Australia. Indeed, with most living in the cities, it has been difficult to gather them together to rebuild the Pā but meeting notices are provided in advance. In the meantime, family members have been trying to raise funds to ensure the legacy of the Marae and the Warahi family remains.
On 21 July 2012, the Wharepuni at Maniati was demolished by controlled burn, and will be replaced by new buildings.