Warkworth has the largest population of Kiribati families in New Zealand. There are nearly 600 people of Kiribati descent living in Warkworth, with families having settled here for work opportunities and seasonal employment since the 1980s.

The Kiribati community of Warkworth has plans for a new cultural space, modeled after traditional Manaeba, or meeting house that are traditionally the centre of village life in the Kiribati Islands. It is envisioned it could host exhibitions, community fairs, orientations for new migrants, support groups, youth art programmes and community kitchens.

The next step is to find a site for the project, and secure funding to get it built. Locations in Matakana, Warkworth and Wellsford are currently being investigated for suitability. 

Rae Bainteiti, a full-time student at Massey University, arrived in New Zealand under the New Zealand Aid Programme as a scholarship recipient in 2016. Mr Bainteiti co-founded a youth charitable trust with a group of young leaders called Kiribati Aotearoa Diaspora Directorate (KADD).

The Trust is focussed on the community and how they can empower members to reach their full potential in their new home of New Zealand. One of KADD's objectives is to promote the Kiribati language and culture, especially engaging young people to get involved.

This new space would provide a place to do this, and be a vital monument to honour the Kiribati culture for migrants adapting to life in New Zealand.