With close relationships with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) , we’ve helped many Marae through the design process to get their Marae funding grants.
Please note: The funding streams for Marae were changed in mid-2025, so the below article has been updated to reflect the changes.
Whether you’re planning a refurbishment or new build, and whether it’s a Wharenui, Wharekai, Wharepaku or other Marae related building, we can help. Being a Northland firm, we’re surrounded by the most Marae in the country, so we’re familiar with how they are utilised and therefore how they should be designed.
Where Does The Funding Come From?
Funding for refurbishing and building new Marae buildings comes from Oranga Marae. This page here explains the available funding streams and what each funding stream covers.
In short, Oranga Marae is administered by the Department of Internal Affairs. DIA has advisors covering different parts of Aotearoa who will help step you through the funding process, along with the help of firms like ourselves, providing plans and other project reports to assist the applications.
Funding comes from a central pool of money and there is most certainly not enough to go around. Think of it as one pot that all the Marae around the country are applying to have some of, but only some will be selected. That is why it is crucial to put your best foot forward when applying for funding, so the persons allocating where the funding goes can see you are well prepared for your project and that it will be a quick success and good use of funding dollars.
If you want a flash Wharekai, you’ll need to go through the below funding steps.
Step 1 – Contact DIA (Department of Internal Affairs) and speak with an advisor
This is a critical first step. The advisors are knowledgeable and know what funding is available, how many Marae are vying for the same pool of funds, and what your Marae will likely be able to submit for.
As with everything in life, we all have great visions, ideas, and wants. The challenge is that every Marae wants a new Wharekai, or upgraded ablution block, or more covered walkways and carparking.
Unfortunately, there is not enough putea to go around. So you’re better to be conservative with what you apply for, because you’re more likely to get funded.
Step 2 – Demonstrate Outcomes
As explained on the Community Matters, Oranga Marae page, to receive grants you must demonstrate how the project will contribute to one or more of the three outcomes:
- Māori will Design and Develop Initiatives as defined by and for Māori Ka Hangaia e te Māori Ngā Kaupapa mā te Māori, mō te Māori
- Capability, Capacity and Self-Reliance Ka Hāpaingia kia Mātau, kia Kaha, kia Tū Pakari
- Ka Whakatairangatia Ngā Hononga me Ngā Akoranga Tuku Iho/ Intergenerational connections and learning
Step 3 – Getting a Plan, Concept Drawings and a Budget
Te Ahi Kaa: Te Paepae.
This is the first step and where a maximum funding contribution of $75,000 applies, to cover the cost of creating a Mahere Marae (Marae Plan), a condition report of any existing buildings (which Arcline can arrange), concept design drawings (that’s us!) and a quantity surveyor report (we can also arrange).
In simple terms, this is so the funders can see what your plan is, get an overview of the condition of the existing Marae buildings, get concepts showing what you want done, and a cost estimate of what the whole project will cost.
Step 4 – Te Whare Marae technical feasibility and building support
This is where funding is available to support the continuance of the above plans and budget, to take your Marae project through detailed design drawings, get the required engineering, fire reports, resource consents, building consents, compliance documents, to put it out for tender, and then cover project oversight through till completion.
To be clear – this is not a fund for the actual cost of the building. It is to get the project ready to be built.
What Next?
Many Marae then approach The Lottery Grants Board, Foundation North and other funders for the actual build cost of their project. This really depends project to project, as to how the project gets funded.
Also, it helps to run your own fundraisers in view of assisting with the funding of your project. If the funders see you’re putting in the mahi, they’ll be more inclined to look favorably on your applications.
What Projects Can You Get Funding For?
- be for a traditional or urban marae, and;
- be on land set aside for the purpose of a marae, and;
- be submitted by trustees of the Māori Reservation or another legal entity (a legal entity that has been approved by the trustees of the Māori Reservation to apply for Oranga Marae funding on their behalf.)
- Marae can apply multiple times to the Oranga Marae programme. However, each application should be for a different purpose or stage of development
Cut-off Dates
Funding for the different stages of the project have different cut off dates for application submissions. These are most often posted on this page here.
A Word of Warning
Over the years we have seen many amazing Marae plans and designs that have never been built. It often comes from a mismatch of the design firm ‘overdesigning’ the Marae. This is not always bad as they’re listening to what the Trustees and Whanau want, but forgetting that the build budget has to be achievable and fundable.
With our practical background in our own building in development projects, the Arcline Team ensure that the projects we are working on have got the best chance at being funded, so time, plans, energy and love for the project are not disposed of by the inability to receive funds.
How Can Arcline Help?
We often get involved at the early stage when building condition reports are needed, along with concept designs and quantity surveying estimates. We help Marae Trustees put their ideas onto paper and interpret suggestions to create the best Marae design possible.
We often have a hui at your Marae, and go for a detailed walkthrough of all the buildings and put together a scope of works.
Contact our team today to discuss your upcoming Marae project!
