$10m investment in new Ringatū Marae complex
Published: 3 February, 2026
The Government is investing just over $10 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to upgrade the National Ringatū Marae Complex in Bay of Plenty.
The new complex will boost resilience in the infrastructure of the Wainui Marae near Ōhope, which has been the focal point of the Ringatū movement and the local community for more than 130 years.
The initiative follows similar investments in Waitangi National Marae, Parihaka and Rātana Pā.
The complex will feature a wharenui (meeting house), wharekai (dining hall), wharetāonga (treasure house), and wharepaku (toilets) and creates a modern, safe space for worship, cultural events, and learning. It will also serve as a civil defence hub for the eastern Bay of Plenty and generate income through venue use, education and cultural tourism.
The Ringatū faith was founded by Te Kooti after his exile to the Chatham Islands in the late 1860s during a time of displacement and colonial conflict.
His escape and the movement’s survival symbolised resilience against injustice, land loss, and cultural suppression.
The build is expected to create 71 jobs, including building apprenticeships, during its 19-month construction and provide ongoing employment opportunities, particularly for Māori youth, after completion. The grant will go to Ringatū Church Incorporated, a registered society.
This investment from the RIF, which is administered by Kānoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, will help preserve an important part of New Zealand’s heritage, support local employment, and provide a lasting asset for its community.