Māori Culture in Napier
Ahuriri and Te Whanganui-a-Orotū, Ōtātara Pā, Pania of the Reef, Ngāti Kahungunu and the marae around Napier.
Napier stands on Ahuriri, beside the old lagoon of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū, in the rohe of Ngāti Kahungunu. Here’s where to experience Māori culture in Napier: taonga at the museum, Ōtātara Pā and the old pā of the lagoon, Pania of the Reef, marae, the iwi and hapū, te reo and what the names mean.
Ahuriri, Te Whanganui-a-Orotū and Te Matau-a-Māui
Napier’s Māori names come from the water. Te Whanganui-a-Orotū was the large lagoon behind the city, much of it lifted and drained by the 1931 earthquake. Hawke’s Bay is Te Matau-a-Māui, the fish-hook of Māui.
Ahuriri
The name of the harbour and the area around it, used today for the historic port suburb and the Ahuriri hapū.
Mataruahou
The Māori name for Bluff Hill, the headland above the port.
Ōtātara
The great pā on the hills above Taradale, with its upper pā, Hikurangi.
Pania
The sea maiden of Napier’s legend, remembered in the reef and the statue on Marine Parade.
Ways to experience Māori culture in Napier
See taonga at the museum, walk the pā sites of Ōtātara and the old lagoon, or join a guided tour with a Ngāti Kahungunu storyteller. Check with each operator for dates and prices.
Museum and guided tour
Kahukura Hawke’s Bay Museum
The museum describes itself as a living repository of taonga, knowledge and connection, sharing the stories of Te Matau-a-Māui. Free entry to exhibitions.
Plan your visitTe Matau-a-Māui Napier Māori History Tour
Guided by a local Māori host, with the whakapapa of Ngāti Kahungunu, visits to Ōtātara Pā, Ngā Pou o Heretaunga and Te Mata Peak, and the stories of Pania and the Battle of Ōmarunui. Includes about 1 km of walking up a hill to the pā. Adults $260.82.
Find out moreAt your own pace
Ōtātara Pā Historic Reserve
DOC calls it one of the largest and most ancient pā sites in Hawke’s Bay, with an upper pā, Hikurangi, and a lower one, Ōtātara, and a carved waharoa at the entrance. Treat it with respect.
Read our guideWhakamaharatanga Walkway
Crosses farmland through two old pā sites with terraces, pits and middens. Rorookuri was an island in the old Te Whanganui-a-Orotū lagoon, and Otiere Pā’s defensive ditches can still be seen. Treat the pā sites with respect.
Read our guidePania of the Reef
A 1.5 metre bronze of Pania, the sea maiden of Napier’s best-known legend, unveiled on Marine Parade on 10 June 1954. She looks out toward the reef that bears her name.
About the statueĀtea a Rangi
A star compass built so that whakatere waka, traditional navigation, is passed on to new generations. The trust behind it takes tour enquiries through Facebook.
Ātea a RangiMāori events through the year
Waitangi Day
A public holiday. In 2027 it falls on a Saturday and is observed on Monday 8 February for those who don’t usually work Saturdays. Check local listings for commemorations in Napier and Hawke’s Bay.
Matariki public holiday
Matariki falls on Friday 25 June in 2027.
Marae in and around Napier
Marae are the gathering places of hapū and iwi. They are not visitor attractions: you visit a marae when you’re invited, or by arrangement with the marae, often with a group, a school or an event. Each marae has its own kawa (protocol), so ask your hosts what they expect.
Tangoio
A marae of Ngāti Tū, Ngāi Tātara and other hapū, with the wharenui Punanga Te Wao.
Te Kāhui MāngaiKohupātiki
A marae of Ngāti Hōri and Ngāti Toaharapaki, with the wharenui Tanenuiarangi.
Te Kāhui MāngaiTe Kāhui Māngai lists more marae of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū inland of the city:
- Moteo (Rangimarie)
- Timikara (Te Whānau Pani)
- Wharerangi (Manahau)
- Te Hāroto (Te Rongopai)
How a welcome usually goes
- GatherThe visitors gather together outside the marae before the welcome begins. Don’t walk on until you’re called.
- KarangaA woman from the hosts calls you on, and a kaikaranga (caller) from your group answers. Walk on together as the calling continues.
- Whaikōrero and waiataSpeeches from hosts and visitors, each followed by a song.
- KohaA gift, usually money in an envelope, laid down by your last speaker.
- Hongi and harirūShake hands and press noses with the hosts.
- KaiA shared meal ends the welcome and lifts the tapu of the pōwhiri.
Ngāti Kahungunu and the hapū of Ahuriri
In their own words, Ngāti Kahungunu has the third-largest iwi population and the second largest tribal rohe in the country, from the Wharerata Ranges in the Wairoa District to the Remutaka Range in South Wairarapa. Napier sits in the taiwhenua of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū.
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated
The iwi’s organisation, representing the people of Ngāti Kahungunu.
Their storyAhuriri Hapū
Seven hapū of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū, represented by Mana Ahuriri Trust. Their deed of settlement with the Crown was signed on 2 November 2016, and the settlement Act passed in 2021.
Te Kāhui MāngaiMaungaharuru-Tangitū Hapū
Their deed of settlement was signed on 25 May 2013, and the settlement Act passed in 2014.
Te Kāhui MāngaiMāori history and stories
Much of today’s Napier was under the waters of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū until the 1931 earthquake. Rorookuri, now farmland at Bay View, was an island in the lagoon.
Māori History in Napier
Napier’s Māori history, from the pā of the lagoon to the hapū today.
Read the historyLearning te reo Māori in Napier
Te reo Māori learning for adults. Check each provider for the latest dates.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Classroom te reo at Level 1 and Level 3 with no fees, plus online Te Ara Reo Māori courses with no fees.
Find out moreKōhanga reo
Kōhanga reo are Māori-language early learning centres. The Ministry of Education directory lists 10 in Napier. Find one on the Kōhanga Reo National Trust map.
- Te Kōhanga Reo o Reremoana Ruruhira (Onekawa)
- Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Kūpenga o Te Mātauranga (Onekawa)
- Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Ara Hou (Onekawa)
- Te Kōhanga Reo o E Tipu E Rea Taraia (Maraenui)
- Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Ao Marama (Maraenui)
- Te Kōhanga Reo o Ngā Uri o Ngā Hau e Whā (Maraenui)
- Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Pou Herenga Waka o Te Whakapono (Marewa)
- Te Kōhanga Reo o Keita Pūriri raua ko Hana Cotter (Marewa)
- Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Maara a Tāwhao (Taradale)
- Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Whakakotahitanga (Taradale)
Schools that teach in te reo Māori
TKKM o Te Ara Hou
Kura kaupapa Māori, composite school. All students taught in te reo Māori.
Read our school guideMaraenui Bilingual School (Napier)
Full primary. The Ministry directory lists all students as taught in te reo Māori.
Read our school guideMāori community services
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated
Registration, iwi news and services for Ngāti Kahungunu.
Find out moreAbout this page
Explore Napier is an independent local guide. This page draws on Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, Te Kāhui Māngai, DOC, Kahukura Hawke’s Bay Museum, Napier City Council, the Ātea a Rangi trust, the Ministry of Education and the operators’ own sites. Spotted something to add or correct? Let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions
What iwi is Napier?
Napier is in the rohe of Ngāti Kahungunu, in the taiwhenua of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū. Ahuriri Hapū, seven hapū of the old lagoon, settled their Treaty claims in 2021.
Where is the Ngāti Kahungunu territory?
In their own words, from the Wharerata Ranges in the Wairoa District to the Remutaka Range in South Wairarapa, and on the coast from Paritū in the north to Tūrakirae in the south.
What is the Māori name for Napier?
Ahuriri is the name of the harbour and area, and the lagoon behind the city was Te Whanganui-a-Orotū. Hawke’s Bay is Te Matau-a-Māui.
What is the legend of Pania of the Reef?
In the telling on the statue’s plaque, Pania was lured by the voices of the sea people and swam out to meet them. When she tried to return to her lover, she was turned into the reef beyond the Napier breakwater.
When was the Pania statue unveiled?
On 10 June 1954, on Marine Parade.
What is Ōtātara Pā?
One of the largest and most ancient pā sites in Hawke’s Bay, on the hills above Taradale, now a DOC historic reserve.
Is Kahukura Hawke’s Bay Museum free?
Yes. Entry to exhibitions is free, and it is open 7 days from 9.30am to 5pm.
Can you visit a marae in Napier?
Only by invitation or arrangement, often with a group, a school or an event.
Where can I learn te reo Māori in Napier?
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa teaches classroom te reo with no fees at its Napier site on Station Street, and online.