Te Kura Whare

Tūhoe, the iwi whose traditional land is the remote forested landscape of Te Urewera in the eastern Bay of Plenty, including Lake Waikaremoana, did not sign the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Despite having no mandate, the Crown assumed control over Tūhoe land. Over time the iwi was subjected to brutal invasions, indiscriminate raupatu (confiscation), wrongful killings and scorchedearth warfare.

Following a tragic history of interaction, Tūhoe and the government reached a settlement in 2013 – including financial redress of $170 million, an apology from the Crown and the right to manage Te Urewera in partnership with the Crown.

In 2010 Tūhoe spearheaded a “Where to from here?” conversation with its people as part of developing a new generation blueprint. Change was imminent – negotiations were underway with the Crown in the lead-up to the Tūhoe Deed of Settlement (2013). Tūhoe was searching for a way forward that would replace the iwi's historic sense of hopelessness and loss with new optimism.

The concept of a new central headquarters for Tūhoe – the first for centuries – emerged as part of the blueprint dialogue.

Te Kura Whare is now the headquarters and meeting place for the people of Tūhoe. Set on the outskirts of the tiny settlement of Tāneatua, a 15-minute drive south of Whakatāne, Te Kura Whare is the 15th building in the world to be certified as a Living Building. A Living Building is a supergreen quadruple netpositive building that generates renewable energy, collects and treats its own water and is constructed from non-toxic materials. In essence – it has no environmental footprint.

While Te Kura Whare is an administrative hub, it is also a symbol of hope and a place of lightness that shelters Tūhoe's future. Te Kura Whare comprises a tribal chamber with seating for 500, library/archives, meeting rooms, and a shared māra kai (garden) of vegetables and fruit trees for the kitchen and the local community. The natural amphitheatre in front of the building seats 3000 people.

Te Kura Whare is not a marae. Tūhoe wants the building accessible to all people – devoid of intimidation for visitors who may not be versed in marae protocol.

Mou Mou Kai Café is located inside Te Kura Whare and offers flavours and dishes inspired by ‘Tūhoe home-style kai'. Think tempura kawakawa leaves, horopito hollandaise, fry bread and piripiri dust. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 12 Tūhoe Street, Tāneatua. ngaituhoe.iwi.nz