Our History
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Tuaropaki Trust is an Ahu Whenua Trust in terms of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993. The Trust Order, established by the Maori Land Court , requires the Trustees to administer the Tuaropaki E lands for the benefit of the beneficial owners. The land is at Mokai, 30kms North West of Taupo. Tuaropaki is the result of a 1952 amalgamation of lands owned by members of the seven Mokai The 1952 amalgamation enabled the land to be developed for pastoral farming under the direction of Trustees and management of the Department of Maori Affairs. By 1979 sole responsibility for the lands was vested in the Trustees, with the late Sir Hepi Te Heuheu as Chairman.
Tuaropaki lands total 3,900 hectares primarily used for sheep, cattle, deer station. There is also a large scale dairy farm. Land not suitable for pastoral farming is used for afforestation and set aside as conservation areas. Tuaropaki overlays most of the Mokai geothermal field and surrounds the geothermal hot springs Ohineariki and Parakiri. The springs were set aside with separate land titles in 1891 and continue as special Maori Reservations. 25 hectares of land has been set aside for horticultural development (glasshouse) and around 30 hectares for steamfield wells, pipelines and electricity generating plant. The late Sam Andrews, esteemed elder and highly respected son of Ngati Parekaawa, was responsible for the restoration of Pakaketaiari. His vision ensured that today, we have a place where whanau and hapu can gather, learn and discuss ways to achieve sustainable economic and cultural development.
Mokai Marae is on Tuaropaki A, a gazetted Maori reservation and is situated on the corner of Tirohanga and Forest Roads, 30 kilometres north, west of Taupo. The Marae is administered by hapu appointed trustees to Tuaropaki A. and daily management is carried out by the Marae Committee. Ngaire George, Leonie Rorason , Mere Maniapoto & Rangi Hodge are the current trustees. The Tupuna Whare is named ‘Pakaketaiari’ son of Te Kohera, and represents the parliament of the 7 hapu who associate to Mokai Marae; Ngati Te Kohera, Ngati Parekaawa, Ngati Tarakaiahi, Ngati Haa, Ngati Wairangi, Ngati Moekino & Ngati Whaita. These hapu are affiliated to both Ngati Tuwharetoa and Ngati Raukawa tribes. The kawa (customary protocol) is conducted in the Te Arawa and Tainui tribal boundaries. On this marae the kawa is tau utuutu. The tekoteko represents Pakaketaiari. The left amo walking onto the marae depicts at top Te Rangipumamao and at the bottom, Kahura - a - Tai. The right amo depicts at top Huatanga and at the bottom Ngamotu. Pakaketaiari married Parehingaawatea and their twelve children are depicted in the carvings. The dining room is named after Parehingaawatea. The children of ‘Pakaketaiari’ & ‘Parehingaawatea’ are: - Te Rangipumamao, Kahura a Tai, Huatanga, Ngamotu, Tarakaiahi, Parewahaika, Te Ngaherehere, Roroau, Hikahaere, Te Parehuia, Warahoe, and Kiore. The marae was formerly known as “Te Iti a Motai”, but today is commonly referred to as Mokai Marae. The shareholders of both Tuaropaki & Waipapa 9 Trusts belong to hapu of this marae. Tuaropaki A Marae Reserve Trust - Mokai Marae Committee
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