History and Background Morehu Marae
Morehu Marae is one of three Marae belonging to the hapū Te Uri-o-tai, which also has three Papakainga within its rohe (area). Each Marae is located within one of the papakainga making up the community of Pawarenga.
The foundation of these papakainga dates back to the resettlement of Pawarenga, following the pakanga at Ahipara, and were established under the mana-whenua of the Tupuna; Tarapatiki, Wiripo, Te Huhu and Parehe Papa.
Each Marae symbolizes the collective mana of the Kaitiaki whanau within their respective papakainga, and collectively the mana of Te Uri-O-Tai.
- Morehu marae is situated within the Potikari papakainga, and established under the tupuna Tarapatiki. His direct descendants are the primary beneficiaries and Kaitiaki of the marae
- Ohaki marae is situated within the papakainga located in the centre of the rohe, which was originally called Pawarenga, and established under the tupuna Wiripo. His direct descendants are the primary beneficiaries and Kaitiaki of the Marae
- Taiao marae is located at Taiao Makora, situated within the Pakinga papakainga, and established under the tupuna Te Huhu and associate Paraihe Papa. Their direct descendants are the primary beneficiaries and Kaitiaki of the Marae
Having three marae, for a small settlement such as Pawarenga, could be seen as extravagant or an indication of a disunited community. However, the above background projects an inexorable logic for their existence.
Morehu Marae together with the other two Marae was extensively renovated in the mid 8O's. The renovation included the building of a new Wharekai; Waimionga, the Wharetupuna; Kurahaupo and ablution block.
Hapu:
The name Te Uri-O-Tai derives from the tupuna Ngataiawa, who was chosen because of his prevalence to the whanau of each papakainga and uniting them all under a common whakapapa. The long title for the hapu is 'Te Uri-o-Ngataiawa; the descendants of Ngataiawa, hence the name “Te Uri-O-Tai”.
Te Uri-o-tai is one of the affiliated hapu, which constitute the Iwi of Te Rarawa. Many of the whanau of Te Uri-O-Tai also refer to their affiliation with Te Aupouri.