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Kōrero: Presbyterian Church

Te Aka Puahu marae

Te Aka Puahu marae

The Reverend John (Hoani) Laughton speaking during the Māori Synod in front of the whare whakairo Te Maungarongo at Te Aka Puahi (then Ōhope) marae in 1965. Laughton had long dreamt of establishing a Presbyterian marae as a point of contact between Māori and Pākehā. When a derelict stables became available in nearby Whakatāne in 1947 he had it shipped to Ōhope, where it was rebuilt and named Te Maungarongo. By 1971 it had become too small and a new whare whakairo, also called Te Maungarongo, was erected and opened in 1979.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Presbyterian Research Centre

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Ben Schrader, Presbyterian Church – Church structure and culture, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/31083/te-aka-puahu-marae (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Ben Schrader, i tāngia i te 26 April 2011, updated 1 March 2017.

Comments

marlene
28 June 2016
going back 60yrs ago where I spent many school holidays attending the hinota there in ohope.just beautiful memories.Yes the marae was small at the time and the gatherings were huge,so tents were pitched up at the bottom of the hill.Hay bales were brought in and used as mattresses.Never forgotten that as a child.Everyday activities were a must and the tamarikis were cared for first.Going for beach walks and sunday schools were awesome.I will never forget all those beautiful people who taught us so much about our maoritanga on that marae.Yes ive known koro john laughton and what an inspiration he was for the maori people.The photo is brilliant.That marae was the most attractive and beautiful surroundings and landscape you could ever imagine, was one of the best ever.I have not being back I now live in Australia. I guess theres being many changes.I hope to return home and visit there one day. Much blessings to you all
Mr. J.G. Caton
03 August 2012
Kiaora, my name is J.G. Caton. I am of Tuhoe descent. I grew up in Te Hinota Maori as my father was (now retired) a Presbyterian Minister of The Maori Synod being schooled through Knox Theological College and Te Wananga A Rangi. My father and my mother named me after J.G. Laughton. However,it was John Laughton's wife (Horiana) who insisted that I be called "J.G." from birth. In reading this page i have observed a small number of errors. These can occur because of the differing names used which can cause confusion however, I can provide the corrections so as to avoid any further confusion and for you to rectify the current errors on this page. FIRST ERROR (Spelling error & incorrect title): "Te Aka Puahu marae" CORRECTION (It should read as): "Ohope Marae, Te Hinota Maori" or, "Te Maungarongo, Ohope Marae" REASON: At the time the photograph was taken, The Maori Synod was known as that or, as Te Hinota Maori. The name did not change (officially) to TE AKA PUAHO until the 1990s. SECOND ERROR (Spelling error & incorrect wording): "...in front of the whare whakairo Te Maungarongo at Te Aka Puahi (then Ōhope) marae in 1965..." CORRECTION (It should read as): "...in front of the whare tipuna Te Maungarongo at Ōhope Marae in 1965..." REASON: It was commonly referred to as Ōhope Marae and still is today. It is the official Marae of Te Aka Puaho - The Maori Synod (or traditionally Te Hinota Maori, the Maori branch) of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. It would be more accurate to describe it as an ancestral house given that it is the cultural and Christian personification of God or as in the second house, the personification of Christ. THIRD ERROR (incorrect date): "...Whakatāne in 1947 he had it shipped to Ōhope." CORRECTION (a more correct date is): "...Whakatāne in 1946 he had it shipped to Ōhope." REASON: That original wharenui was opened in 1947. FOURTH ERROR (incorrect date): "...and opened in 1979." CORRECTION (the correct opening date is): "...and opened in 1977." REASON: I was there when the (second) wharenui was reopened in 1977. If any further direct contact is required, my phone number is: 0226285724. Regards, naku noa na J.G. Caton