Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai Officially Opens
TL;DR:
We’ve officially opened Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai (Upper Waitematā Marine Centre). Over 200 people joined us for a special ceremony led by Te Kawerau ā Maki, with kapa haka from Hobsonville Point Primary School, followed by shared kai. The centre is now open — run by volunteers, with access through local clubs.
Opening Ceremony
Last Thursday, 16 April, we reached an important milestone… the official opening of Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai.
Highlights from the official opening of Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai (Upper Waitematā Marine Centre), celebrated with our community, mana whenua, and supporters.
More than 200 people joined us on the day, including local supporters, volunteers, community members, and honoured guests. It was a warm, sunny day and there was a strong sense of connection and shared purpose.
The opening ceremony was led by Te Kawerau ā Maki, mana whenua. They gifted the name Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai to the facility, shared a beautiful waiata, and led the formal proceedings to lift the tapu. This was a significant and grounding moment for the centre and everyone present.
We were welcomed with a kapa haka performance from Hobsonville Point Primary School, bringing energy and pride to the day.
Our Chairperson, Mike Stanley, spoke on behalf of the Trust, acknowledging the long journey to this point and the many people who have helped bring the centre to life.
Following the ceremony, everyone stayed to share kai. A big thank you to Paul and his team for providing a delicious meal for the community.
How the Marine Centre works
As we open the doors, we also want to clarify how the centre operates.
Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai is a community facility, and it is run by volunteers. Its day-to-day use is supported through local clubs, who activate the space and bring it to life.
The main way to get involved is by joining a club, in particular, the Hobsonville Yacht Club. Club members can take part in activities, programmes, and make regular use of the facility.
We know there has been some confusion about access.
Being a local homeowner, or holding a social membership, does not automatically provide full access to the building or all club activities.
Social membership is designed as a way to stay connected and support the facility. In the future, it will also provide benefits such as discounts at the on-site restaurant and bar when they are operating (in September this year).
If you’re interested in getting out on the water, meeting others, or being part of the marine community, joining Hobsonville Yacht Club is the best place to start.
This opening is an important step forward. Te Pae ō Ōruamōkai is now open and ready to be used… a place for people to come together, connect with the water, and build a strong marine community.
🎥 We’ve put together a short highlight video from the day… we encourage you to watch and share it.
