If you were to ask us what is the most important thing in the world then I would have to answer…

“it is people, it is people, it is people”

“He aha te mea nui? He tangata. He tangata. He tangata”

Te Hana Te Ao Marama Mission Statement

To share with the World our culture, our history, our stories.

How we began

The Te Hana Community Development Charitable Trust was founded in 2002 by concerned local iwi (tribal members) in response to serious social and economic concerns that were affecting not only the wellbeing of local whanau (families) but also negatively impacting on the wellbeing of the wider community.

After thousands of volunteer hours and fundraising activities Te Hana Te Ao Marama has become what it is today. Against all odds the previously deprived community of Te Hana has rebuilt and reinvented itself. Using the treasured knowledge from the past Ngati Whatua ki Kaipara cultural, visual and performing arts have been revitalised to share with all. Te Hana Te Ao Marama is living proof that dreams do come true!