Whakaahurangi Marae was established in Stratford in the 1970s. The area had very few Māori living here until the 1950s. In 1975, approval was given for a marae to be established on reserve land between Celia Street and the Patea River.
The marae was named after an old Māori trail, linking northern and southern Taranaki a few kilometres east of Stratford. The first building on the marae was the former Pembroke Road school, and over the years various other buildings were added. In December 1989 the marae was destroyed by fire, but with strong community support and an insurance payout, rebuilding started early in 1990, with the official opening in March 1992.
The marae offers Te Kohanga Reo, elderly support services, family support & advice and community classes in te reo, tikanga and kapa haka.
Email: whakaahurangimarae@gmail.com
