metawhenua: virtual marae

3D Model

Browser-based demo of Virtual Marae: Digital & Interactive Māori spaces. Book a demo from the link below. https://metawhenua.com/

The wharenui, or “big house,” is an integral part of the Māori community in Aotearoa (New Zealand), serving as a communal meeting place for events and workshops.

It symbolically represents the identity of the local tribe or iwi, with each part of its structure, often elaborately carved and decorated, embodying ancestral stories and genealogy. Its layout is designed to resemble a human body, reflecting the tribe’s history and experiences.

Every wharenui, named after a notable ancestor, is treated with profound respect, with specific protocols observed during activities within it. As such, the wharenui is not merely a structure but a living embodiment of the Māori tribe, its ancestors, and its culture.

The name of this Whare is Te Auaha a Māui (The Creativity of Māui).