Tāngoio and Petāne Marae to be rebuilt on safer Hawke’s Bay sites with Government funding

Tāngoio Marae was devastated after Hawke's Bay was smashed by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. Photo / Mike Scott

Two Hawke’s Bay marae damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle will be rebuilt in safer locations using $27.6 million of Government funding.

Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said the Government had on Thursday approved $11.54m for Petāne Marae and $16.06m for Tāngoio Marae to relocate and rebuild, through the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway.

After land acquisition and site assessments, 139 Beach Rd in Tāngoio had been identified as the preferred location for Tāngoio Marae.

Petāne Marae, which is currently on Tait Rd, Bay View had selected 253 Onehunga Rd, north of Napier.

Design work and resource consenting was underway.

After the cyclone, both marae were placed in red-zoned land known as Category 3.

Homes and community facilities in these areas were considered unsafe to rebuild, with unmitigable risk to life from future flooding or landslides.

“Marae play a vital role in supporting whānau and communities, particularly during emergencies,” Potaka said.

“During Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events, we saw marae step up to provide shelter, food and care for whānau and the wider community.”

Potaka said the investment provided certainty for trustees and whānau to be in safer locations and serve their communities for generations.

“Marae are a key part of how communities respond during emergencies. Relocating and rebuilding these marae will strengthen resilience across Hawke’s Bay.”

As part of the Whenua Māori and Marae Pathway (WMMP) process, trustees for both marae entered into a Relationship and Funding Agreement with the Government and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFF) to relocate and rebuild the marae.

The WMMP is jointly overseen by the Ministers of Finance, Emergency Management and Recovery, Māori Development and Māori Crown Relations.

Its purpose is to support the relocation of marae and culturally significant assets that have become unsafe due to land instability, inundation or structural compromise.