Ngāti Hinekura
Mana whenua and kaitiaki of Tieke Kāinga on the Whanganui River where all are welcome.
Our People, Our Awa
Ngāti Hinekura are the people of Tieke Marae, on the middle reaches of the Whanganui River. As kaitiaki of this kāinga, our connection to Tieke stretches back long before the arrival of Europeans, when it was a fortified pā and a place of learning and trade. That connection endures today.
Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura, our wharenui, is at the heart of our community. Here, whānau gather to maintain our ahikā and pass on our taonga tuku iho to future generations. As kaitiaki, we work alongside conservation partners to care for our whenua and welcome visitors who wish to learn about this place.
Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura
The Work We Are Doing
Since whānau returned to Tieke in 1993, the ahi kā has been kept burning. Today that means caring for manuhiri through the Whanganui Journey season, restoring the taonga that carry our history, and planning for the future of Tieke alongside the Department of Conservation.
Mahi kaitiaki
Tieke Hut Ranger
Hapū-led management of Tieke through the Whanganui Journey season, manaaki for manuhiri, safety messaging on the awa, and upkeep of the huts and shared assets in partnership with DOC.
Read more →
Mahere whakahaere
Tieke Management Plan
Co-designing a staged, adaptive framework with DOC, developed in anticipation of Treaty Settlement, to safeguard the mana, wellbeing and sustainability of Tieke for the next generations.
Read more →
Whakaora pou
Pou Whenua Restoration
Restoring the pou whenua that carries Tieke's history to Tamahaki and Ngāti Hinekura, and improving the drainage around the pou and the wharenui so they stand for years to come.
Read more →Te tau ki Tieke · The year at Tieke
"Ko au te awa, Ko te awa ko au"
A Living Marae on the Whanganui Journey
Tieke sits on the middle reaches of the Whanganui River, one of the great stops on the Whanganui Journey. From October to April our kāinga is also a Great Walk hut, and those travelling the awa are welcomed ashore with manaaki and, when whānau are home, a pōwhiri onto the marae.
DOC hut beds and campsites at Tieke are booked through the Department of Conservation. Our wharenui and the Ngāti Hinekura camping area are booked directly with us; see the booking section below.
Whanganui Journey · Whakahoro to Pipiriki
Book Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura
Our wharenui, Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura, is the meeting house at the heart of Tieke. Whānau and manuhiri can book it for hui, wānanga and special occasions, and groups can also book the Ngāti Hinekura camping area. A booking gives you use of the wharenui or camping area, with shared access to the kitchen and wharepaku. It does not give you the whole marae or kāinga.
Staying the night on the awa
DOC hut beds and campsites
The DOC hut and DOC campsites at Tieke are part of the Whanganui Journey and are booked through the Department of Conservation, not through us.
Book with DOC →Hui, wānanga and groups
Book the wharenui or camping area
Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura and the Ngāti Hinekura camping area are booked directly with Ngāti Hinekura Manatōpū. Check availability below.
- Wharenui stay$20 per person
- Camping area$10 per person
- Maximum group size40 people
Your booking includes
- Use of Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura, our wharenui, or the Ngāti Hinekura camping area
- Shared use of the kitchen and wharepaku (toilets)
- Fees apply to everyone using the wharenui, camping area and kitchen. We'll send payment details when we confirm your booking.
Good to know
- The rest of the kāinga stays open to others. During the Great Walk season (October to April) Whanganui Journey travellers are also staying at Tieke, and hut users have priority in the kitchen.
- The wharenui and camping area hold up to 40 people in total. Larger groups need to book the DOC hut or DOC campsites as well.
- If your rōpū is large or your visit has a particular purpose, tell us when you book. The committee can share kōrero about the pou whenua and the wharenui.
Availability is indicative. Contact us to confirm your dates.
Plan Your Visit to Tieke
Haere Mai
Getting Here
- Jet Boat from Pipiriki Contact local operators for bookings to Tieke landing. Journey approx. 45 minutes upstream.
- Waka Journey Join the annual Tira Hoe or organised waka expeditions down the Whanganui River.
- Walking Track Accessible via the Whanganui River Road. Contact us for current conditions.
Ā-roto Rauemi
What to Bring
- Essential Weather-appropriate clothing, sturdy footwear, rain gear, personal kai and water.
- Cultural Respect for tikanga Māori, and an open heart to learn.
- Overnight Sleeping bag, personal toiletries, torch or headlamp.
Ngā Mea
Facilities
- Accommodation Stay in the wharenui ($20 pp) or the Ngāti Hinekura camping area ($10 pp), booked with us. DOC hut beds and campsites are booked through DOC.
- Kai Meals can be arranged with advance notice. Kitchen available for self-catering.
- Activities Cultural workshops, guided walks, whakapapa sharing, traditional kai preparation by arrangement.
Tikanga at Tieke
Tieke is a place of deep cultural and historical significance for Ngāti Hinekura. To keep it safe and respected for everyone, please follow these tikanga while you're here.
While you're here
- Show courtesy and respect to everyone on Tieke grounds.
- Share the kitchen responsibly, including cooking and cleaning.
- Don't hang or dry underwear in the kitchen.
- Take all rubbish and leftover food with you when you leave.
- Don't try to access locked facilities.
- Follow all Department of Conservation signage and warnings.
- Don't put rubbish in the toilets.
- Don't touch hapū property in the wharenui, including photos, taonga and taiaha.
Strictly enforced
- No alcohol or drugs on Tieke Marae grounds, including the riverbed below.
- Anyone intoxicated will be asked to leave. Other accommodation can be arranged at your own cost.
- No firearms unless authorised by the Ngāti Hinekura Manatōpū committee.
- No dogs or pets unless authorised by the Ngāti Hinekura Manatōpū committee.
Operators should also keep their own safety guidelines for their clients. Ngā mihi for helping us care for Tieke.
Visitor FAQs
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Tieke Marae is accessible only by river or walking track, so advance booking is essential. For wharenui bookings we recommend confirming at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead.
Is there phone coverage at the marae?
Cell phone coverage is limited to none at Tieke Marae. Please ensure your emergency contacts know your plans and expected return time before you travel.
What is the protocol when visiting a marae?
Manuhiri who have not been welcomed onto Tieke before are welcomed through a pōwhiri. Please wait at the entrance to the marae until called forward, follow the lead of your hosts, remove shoes when entering the wharenui, and dress modestly. Haukāinga cannot always be at Tieke through the 2026 to 2028 seasons, so our two kaitiaki are there to support you. Please respect their role as representatives of the hapū.
Can I bring my own food?
Yes, you can self-cater using the kitchen facilities. We can also arrange catering with advance notice. Please let us know your requirements when enquiring.
Are children welcome?
Āe, absolutely. Children are always welcome on the marae. Please note the river environment requires close supervision of tamariki at all times.
What is the difference between a DOC booking and booking the wharenui?
The DOC hut and DOC campsites at Tieke are part of the Whanganui Journey. They are managed by the Department of Conservation and booked through their Great Walk system. The wharenui, Te Puawaitanga o Hinekura, and the Ngāti Hinekura camping area are booked directly with Ngāti Hinekura Manatōpū through the enquiry form above. They give you the wharenui or camping area and shared use of the kitchen and wharepaku, not the whole kāinga.
How much does it cost?
Staying in the wharenui is $20 per person, and the Ngāti Hinekura camping area is $10 per person. Fees apply to everyone using the wharenui, camping area and kitchen, and help cover the costs of looking after Tieke. We'll send payment details when we confirm your booking.
Contact Us
All messages go directly to our kaitiaki team at Ngāti Hinekura Manatōpū. We aim to respond within 48 hours. For urgent matters, please reach us by email.
Wāhi
Tieke Marae, Whanganui River
Postal: Ngāti Hinekura Manatōpū
Tamahaki Office, 19 Ward Street
Raetihi 4632
Hui Marama
First Saturday of each month
10:00 AM