Ōrongomai Tū Tonu

17 Aug – 22 Nov 2026

In August 2026, Ōrongomai Marae marks 50 years in Upper Hutt with an exhibition that brings together the people, moments, and movements that made it possible.

From the bold decision to establish a marae in the heart of a growing city, this exhibition traces how Ōrongomai came into being. It celebrates the visionaries, builders, and cultural leaders who shaped its foundation, including the powerful legacy of Mā-wai-hakona, whose performances carried Ōrongomai onto national and international stages.

At its heart, this is a story of belonging: how a community created a place for itself, and how that place continues to serve, welcome, and grow. Ōrongomai Tū Tonu invites you to experience a living history and the people who continue to shape it.

Image credit: Ōrongomai Marae 1988; whare whakairo detail; koruru and ridge beam (tāhuhu), photography by Eric Wood, 1988, courtesy of Upper Hutt City Library.