Auckland Council has approved an allocation of up to $2.2 million from the Tahua Huanga Ora Māori Outcomes Fund to support the next stage of Te Henga Marae, helping Te Kawerau ā Maki progress plans to re-establish a permanent marae on its ancestral whenua.
The decision, approved by the Policy, Planning and Development Committee on 11 August 2026, provides specialist project management support and an initial contribution towards the first stage of the development of the marae, subject to conditions including confirmed co-investment, agreed project scope and governance arrangements.
Edward Ashby, Chief Executive of Te Kawerau Iwi Tiaki Trust, said the decision marks an important milestone in a journey spanning generations.
“Te Kawerau ā Maki have waited more than a century to once again have a marae on its ancestral whenua at Te Henga.
“For the iwi, this is about far more than constructing buildings. It is about restoring a place that was lost, honouring those who kept the vision alive, and ensuring our mokopuna will always have a home to return to.
“This support allows Te Kawerau to continue planning, strengthen partnerships with other funders, and move one step closer to creating a marae that will serve our people and the wider community for generations to come.”
Councillor Richard Hills, Chair of Auckland Council’s Policy, Planning and Development Committee says this investment contributes to restoring a valued cultural asset with long-term community benefits.
“This is about assisting Te Kawerau ā Maki to restore an important piece of cultural infrastructure for their iwi, their whānau, for Te Wao Nui o Tiriwa and for Auckland while supporting an iwi-led vision that has been many decades in the making.
“The Māori Outcomes Fund exists to invest in priorities identified by Māori and to help unlock wider investment that delivers lasting benefits for Auckland.”
For centuries, Waitī at Te Henga was home to Te Kawerau ā Maki and the location of one of the principal kāinga and marae of the iwi. Around 1920, following changes to the Waitākere River flow because of the construction of the Waitākere Dam and the cumulative loss of ancestral land through colonisation and encroachment from settlers, the settlement had to be abandoned.
By the mid-twentieth century, Te Kawerau ā Maki had become the only mana whenua iwi in Tāmaki Makaurau without a marae, and it has remained that way ever since. The establishment of Te Henga Marae represents the restoration of an enduring cultural home on ancestral whenua, continuing an aspiration that has been carried by generations of Te Kawerau ā Maki.
The development will restore an important cultural presence at Te Henga and provide a permanent place for future generations to gather, celebrate, learn and maintain connections with their whenua.
The proposed funding supports the establishment phase of the project by providing specialist project management, programme planning and an initial contribution towards the first stage of development.
Funding will only be released once several conditions have been met, including confirmation of sufficient co-investment, agreement on project scope and staging, validated project costs, governance arrangements and a formal funding agreement between Auckland Council and Te Kawerau ā Maki.
Watercare has indicated in-principle support for the project, while Te Kawerau ā Maki is also exploring co-investment opportunities with Foundation North and other potential partners.
The approval does not commit Auckland Council to funding the full marae or papakāinga development. Any future requests for additional council funding would require separate consideration by the committee.
The investment aligns with the priorities of the Tahua Huanga Ora Māori Outcomes Fund and Tāmaki Ora, Auckland Council’s Māori Outcomes Strategy, by supporting iwi-led initiatives that strengthen Māori wellbeing and identity across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Councillor Matt Winiata, Auckland Council’s Māori Outcomes Portfolio Lead, says the investment is a practical example of the council responding to priorities identified by mana whenua.
“Te Henga Marae shows what delivering Māori outcomes looks like in practice. This is an aspiration identified and led by Te Kawerau ā Maki, with the council working alongside the iwi to help create the conditions for it to be realised.
“Re-establishing a marae at Te Henga will strengthen the connections between iwi, whānau and whenua and create an enduring cultural and community asset for future generations.
“This is exactly what Tāmaki Ora and the Māori Outcomes Fund are intended to enable – responding to iwi priorities, building strong partnerships and using council investment to help unlock wider support and lasting outcomes.”
Construction planning has been progressing for several years, with earlier support through the Māori Outcomes Fund contributing towards feasibility, design and consenting work.
The next phase will focus on confirming detailed staging, project costs, delivery arrangements and co-investment opportunities before future construction funding decisions are considered.