A wharenui is a communal house of the Māori people of New Zealand, generally situated as the focal point of a marae. Wharenui are usually called meeting houses in New Zealand English, or simply called whare. Also called a whare rūnanga or whare whakairo, the present style of wharenui originated in the early to middle nineteenth century. The houses are often carved inside and out with stylized images of the iwi's ancestors, with the style used for the carvings varying from tribe to tribe. Modern meeting houses are built to regular building standards. Photographs of recent ancestors may be used as well as carvings. The houses always have names, sometimes the name of a famous ancestor or sometimes a figure from Māori mythology. Some meeting houses are built where many Māori are present, even though it is not the location of a tribe; typically, a school or tertiary institution with many Māori students. While a meeting house is considered sacred, it is not a church or house of worship, but religious rituals may take place in front of or inside a meeting house. On most marae, no food may be taken into the meeting house.
Structure
The building often symbolises an ancestor of the wharenui's tribe. So different parts of the building refer tobody parts of that ancestor:
The koruru at the point of the gable on the front of the wharenui can represent the ancestor's head
The maihi signify arms; the ends of the maihi are called raparapa, meaning "fingers"
The tāhuhu represents the backbone
The heke or rafters signify ribs
Internally, the poutokomanawa can be interpreted as the heart
Other important components of the wharenui include:
The amo, the vertical supports that hold up the ends of the maihi
The paepae, the horizontal element on the ground at the front of the wharenui, acts as the threshold of the building
The marae ātea comprises a very important open space directly in front of the wharenui, and is used to welcome visitors onto the marae. It also serves as an area on which to debate issues.
Protocols
Meeting houses are the centre of any cultural, business, or any affair which is relevant to the iwi as a whole.
Typically, visitors to the village would be allowed to stay in the meeting house at night.
Ceremonial occasions, including wedding and funeral typically take place in the meeting house or on the marae ātea in front of the house.
Strict rules of conduct generally govern the use of the wharenui, which is considered the domain of unity and peace. If anyone should become irate or physically violent, they would be asked to leave the house until they can control their temper.
