Maraetai

Maraetai is one of the towns which make up Manukau city and is the easternmost suburb of greater Auckland in New Zealand. The closest town Beachlands lies approximately 4 km to the West. Its name is Māori meaning "marae by the sea". Maraetai was the original name for the smooth, calm tidal passage now known as Tamaki Strait, which is sheltered by Te Motu Arai-roa ("The Long Sheltering Island") now called Waiheke Island. The site of present day Maraetai suburb was formerly the Pā and kāinga (village) settlement known as Pohaturoa. To the Pākehā people Maraetai means "Meeting place by the sea". One of the better known functions of a Marae is to facilitate Hui (tribal gatherings). Maraetai's residents do not use city mains water and...